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Bullying was the main concern for over 6,500 counselling sessions delivered by Childline last year

In support of Anti-Bullying Week 2025, we have advice for parents, carers and children for dealing with bullying

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  • In 2024/25, Childline delivered 6,617 counselling sessions where the young person’s main concern was bullying1.
  • When contacting about online bullying, young people said they’re seeing nasty or hurtful posts about themselves, that bullying is taking place in group chats, that they’re facing peer pressure, and they’re experiencing stalking or harassment.
  • For other types of bullying, young people say they’re receiving verbal and/or physical bullying, being bullied about being different, being left out or excluded, and being part of rumours or gossip.

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Shaun Friel, Childline Director, said: “Bullying can take many forms, from the classroom to the home, and online. Its effects can be long-lasting, often following young people into adulthood.

“At Childline, we hear from children on a daily basis who are experiencing bullying. It’s important to let them know they’re not alone, which is why Anti-Bullying Week is so important. It’s a chance for us all to come together, raise awareness, and take action to challenge bullying wherever and whenever it occurs.

“Bullying thrives in silence. By speaking out and supporting one another, we can help protect young lives. Childline is here 24/7, online and over the phone, with trained counsellors ready to listen and support any young person, whatever they’re facing.”

Martha Boateng, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: “With so many children turning to Childline for support, it’s clear that bullying continues to have a profound impact on young lives.

“We all have a responsibility to act, from parents and teachers to the government. This Anti-Bullying Week, we’re calling on every adult to use their power for good and help create a society where all children feel safe, respected and included.”

Quotes from counselling sessions...

“Everyone at school hates me. I’m always left out of everything, blamed for things I haven’t done, people throw things at me. I can’t tell a teacher because then I’ll be a snitch.

I tried to tell my mum, but she was busy. NSPCC came to my school and said I could speak to Childline when I have no one to speak too. I’m glad I tried it.” — Boy aged 11

“There are a group of girls who have been bullying me and threatening me on social media.

“It’s been going on for a while. They’re known for getting into fights in our area. I will consider talking to a teacher about it, but I don’t think they’ll be able to do anything.” — Girl aged 13

“I’m annoyed at someone at school who won’t leave me alone. They throw things at me and say weird things to me. They also know where I live and it scares me.

I’ve told the teachers, but they don’t do anything about it. I’m trying to focus on things I enjoy, like football. I’m going to try to relax.” — Boy, aged 15

Advice for parents and carers

Talk to Your Child

It's important to choose the right time to talk to your child. When you do, try to stay calm, as they may be feeling scared or embarrassed. You can also let them know who they can turn to for help if they would rather speak to another adult.

Help Them Relax

Bullying can cause children to lose confidence. Encourage them to engage in activities that make them feel good, such as listening to music, playing games, participating in sports, or joining clubs and classes.

Arrange a Meeting

It is helpful to request a copy of the school's or club's anti-bullying policy. Additionally, take notes on what is discussed. A meeting is a good opportunity to ask about the actions the school plans to take and to ensure that you are satisfied with their response.

Report Bullying

In addition to providing emotional support for your child, review their internet privacy settings to ensure they are secure and up to date. Make sure your child knows how to block accounts and report anyone who is bullying them to the relevant platform. Further advice on this can be found on the NSPCC’s online safety hub.

 

Read more advice for adults helping a young person with bullying.

Get more advice for adults

Advice if your child has bullied someone

Explain Bullying

Talk to your child about the impact of bullying on others. Make sure they understand that such behaviour is unacceptable. Children don’t always realise that their actions are bullying and how much it can hurt someone else.

Encourage Empathy

Help your child recognise the feelings of the person they have bullied. Ask them how they think the other child is feeling and encourage them to recall a time when someone was unkind to them. This can help them develop empathy for others.

Decide Next Steps

Discuss what actions you will take next, such as informing their school, and let your child know what you expect from them moving forward. Encourage them to ask questions about why it’s important to change their behaviour.

Monitor Your Child

Keep an eye on your child's behaviour and maintain ongoing conversations about how they treat others. Praise them when they demonstrate positive behaviour but also reinforce your expectations when necessary.

Advice for young people experiencing bullying

Report and Block Individuals

You can report bullying on social media platforms. It’s good to make the report yourself, as this increases the likelihood that the content will be removed.

Keep Evidence

Maintain a record of incidents, noting what happened and when. It’s also helpful to take screenshots of any online messages.

Tell Someone

It's important to talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or teacher, and share the evidence of the bullying. If the bullying is occurring at your school, they have a responsibility to support you.

Practice Assertiveness

Being assertive means standing up for yourself in a calm and confident manner, without being aggressive. This can help you feel more empowered and in control when facing bullying.

Take a Break from Messages

It’s natural to want to see what others are saying when you’re being bullied. However, stepping away from your phone or device for a few minutes can help you feel calmer and more at ease.

Childline has more advice to help young people deal with bullying.

Visit Childline to learn more

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References

  1. 1) In 2024/25, Childline delivered 6,617 counselling sessions where the young person’s main concern was bullying — an average of 551 sessions per month. Of these, 5,943 were in-person bullying and 674 were online bullying.