My friend is being bullied

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When your friend is being bullied

Seeing your friend being bullied can bring up a lot of emotions. You might feel sad, worried, scared, or unsure of what to do. You're not responsible for stopping the bullying by yourself. There are safe ways you can help.

Illustration of three people standing around bullying another person. One holds a backpack above the person in the centre while others point or raise an arm. Another has taken their glasses. All figures stand against a plain blue background.

Understanding bullying

Bullying is when someone uses their words or actions to hurt, upset, or leave someone out again and again. You might see it happen, hear about it or notice your friend acting differently.

How you can help

Your role is not to stop the bullying on your own. Listening, believing them and letting your friend know that you care can help your friend feel supported. Small kind actions like sitting with your friend, including them in games and reminding them that they are not alone can be a big help.

Illustration of a person facing forward with one hand raised. The word “STOP” is written on the palm.

Be an upstander, not a bystander

When someone sees bullying and doesn’t do anything to help, they are called a bystander.

Sometimes it can be hard to know what to do.

Being an upstander means choosing safe ways to help.

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Ways to be an upstander

There are many ways to be an upstander.

If it feels safe, speak up in a calm and kind way to let others know that bullying is not okay
Interrupt the bullying by inviting your friend to come with you
Include them in a game or activity
Tell a trusted adult what is happening

Every action, big or small, can make a difference.

Looking after yourself

Your feelings matter. Seeing someone you care about being bullied can be hard. It’s okay if you feel sad, worried, angry or unsure on what to do. Remember to look after yourself. Make time to do things that help you feel calmer:

Deep breathing
Drawing
Going for a walk
Listening to music
Cuddling a toy or playing with a fidget
Doing a puzzle
Cloud watching
Talking to a trusted adult

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Asking for help and support

Stopping bullying is everyone’s responsibility. You don’t have to do it alone. It’s important that you tell an adult about it. Adults have a responsibility to stop bullying, too. Their role is to help everyone involved feel safe and supported. You can talk about bullying with a parent or carer, teacher or a Kids Helpline counsellor.

Kids Helpline is here to support you, and your friends too!

It’s never too late to ask for help. If you need help getting started, talk to Kids Helpline, anytime, for any reason.