What if the bullying doesn’t end when the school bell rings?
More than one in four kids are being bullied at school. Here’s what parents can do to help stop it.
For many parents, bullying is one of those things you hope your child never has to deal with. But with bullying happening both in the playground and online, it can be harder to spot – and even harder to know what to do when it happens.
More than one in four Australian students in Years 4 to 9 say they have experienced bullying regularly. And increasingly, the schoolyard can follow kids home through their phones.
The Australian Government has launched the Let’s Stop Bullying campaign following the 2025 Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, with resources designed to help parents, carers and schools tackle bullying and harmful behaviours.
Because stopping bullying isn’t just about telling kids to “stand up for themselves”. It’s about creating an environment where they feel safe to speak up, know where to get help and understand that their behaviour can make a difference, too.
Bullying doesn’t always look the way we expect
Bullying can be physical, verbal, social or emotional. It might be name-calling or threats, but it can also look like deliberately leaving someone out, spreading rumours or repeatedly embarrassing them.
And then there’s cyberbullying, where the hurt can continue long after the school day is over.
Parent and anti-bullying advocate Kate Everett, who founded Dolly’s Dream with her husband Tick following the death of their daughter Dolly, says parents are seeing more bullying play out online.
“We’ve seen first-hand through our work at Dolly’s Dream that, more and more, kids face bullying online. As a mum, I know what our kids are exposed to online can stay with them long after they put their phone down. As parents, it’s up to us to educate ourselves and to keep talking and listening, making sure our kids know they can come to us.”
Bullying No Way Week to help prevent bullying
Bullying No Way Week, 17-21 August 2026, is Australia’s leading initiative for for bullying prevention in schools.
And while bullying can feel like a big issue, this year’s message is refreshingly simple: small actions matter.
Because sometimes it’s the little things – inviting someone to join in, speaking up when something doesn’t feel right or showing kindness to a classmate – that can make the biggest difference.
The signs might be easy to miss
Not every child will come home and announce they’re being bullied.
Some children may become withdrawn, angry or frustrated. Others might suddenly lose interest in school, avoid certain activities or seem anxious about checking their phone.
“The impact of cyberbullying isn’t always obvious,” Kate says. “Some young people carry that hurt quietly, while others may become angry, frustrated or withdrawn. What matters is recognising that every child experiences it differently and knowing they need understanding, support and connection.”
That’s why regular, low-pressure conversations can matter so much.
Don’t wait for a big conversation
You don’t need to sit your child down for a serious “we need to talk” chat every time.
Instead, make talking about online life and friendships part of everyday family life. Ask what they’re watching, who they’re playing with online or what happened at school – and actually listen to the answer.
Kate says creating a safe space can make it easier for kids to come to you when something goes wrong.
“Meaningful conversations often happen when kids feel safe, supported and free from pressure. By making time to listen, showing genuine curiosity about their world and reassuring them they won’t be judged, parents can help build the trust that encourages children to speak up when something isn’t right.”
Kindness is everyone’s job
Stopping bullying isn’t only about protecting the child being targeted. It’s also about helping children understand the role they can play when they see someone else being treated badly.
Talk about what it means to be an upstander rather than a bystander. What could they do if they see someone being excluded? Who could they tell? And what does being kind online actually look like?
These conversations help kids understand that small actions can have a big impact – especially when someone else is having a really hard day.
When bullying happens, don’t go it alone
If your child tells you they’re being bullied, start by listening rather than jumping straight into problem-solving mode.
Let them know you believe them, thank them for telling you and reassure them that what’s happening isn’t their fault.
For ongoing bullying, speak with the school and keep a record of incidents, particularly when they’re happening online. Avoid encouraging your child to retaliate, as this can make an already difficult situation more complicated.
There’s also help available for families. The Let’s Stop Bullying website has free, expert-developed resources for parents, carers and school-aged children, including advice for dealing with bullying in person and online.
And if you or your child needs further support, Dolly’s Dream provides help through 13 DOLLY (13 36 55).
Because stopping bullying isn’t something parents, schools or kids have to figure out alone.
