Bullying, young people and mental health

With kids about to head back to school, and the world becoming increasingly chaotic, kindness is key. Unfortunately bullying is an ever-present problem, and taking dangerous new forms as technology changes, causing additional mental health challenges.

Here are some practical tips for young people facing bullying, as well as their parents and guardians, from the Dolly’s Dream charity, which was created by Kate and Tick Everett after they lost their 14 year old daughter after serious bullying.

Recognising the problem

Bullying is behaviour which causes harm and is done deliberately and repeatedly – more than once. It is characterised by inequality and an abuse of power. Bullying can be:

• Physical – such as hitting, shoving, tripping or kicking.
• Verbal – such as insults, threats, or nasty teasing.
• Social – such as spreading ugly rumours or telling people not to be friends with someone.
• Cyber – such as spreading nasty gossip about someone online or posting embarrassing pics without their permission.

What to do if a child is bullied?

Children sometimes don’t want to tell parents that they’re being bullied because the parent might take their device away or the parent might go down to the school.

If your child says they’re being bullied, it’s important to stay calm and let them know they’ve done the right thing by telling you.

Ask them for the full story and explain that bullying is never okay and that’s it’s normal to feel upset. Do your best not to respond to the bullying by becoming aggressive yourself, as this is likely to make things worse.

If the bullying is taking place at your child’s school, reach out to meet and discuss the situation. If possible, make an appointment to meet in person and bring any relevant information or examples of the behaviour. Know the questions you want to ask ahead of time. Bring a support person if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

Make a time to follow up with the school later, to check how things are progressing.

Every school in Australia should have an anti-bullying policy which you can often find on the school’s website. Prepare yourself by reading the document before your meeting.

The school and teachers will also want the bullying to stop, so remember you’re on the same team.

What if the bullying is happening online?

Step 1 – Document the incident: Capture screenshots of abusive messages, comments, or posts, and save any relevant emails or direct messages. Make a note of the dates, times, and details of each incident. Save them in a secure place.

(DO NOT capture or share screenshots or explicit images of people under 18. This can result in serious legal consequences, including charges related to child pornography.)

Step 2 – Report to the social media platform: Most social media platforms have built-in tools to report abuse or harassment. Look for options like ‘Report’, ‘Flag’, or ‘Block’ on the platform. When making a report, be as detailed as possible. Where possible, include screenshots and a description of the harassment.

Step 3 – Inform the eSafety Commissioner: File a report to Australia’s independent regulator for online safety, the Australian eSafety Commissioner at esafety.gov.au, and use their online reporting form. They will review your complaint within two business days and take down the content or offer guidance on further steps.

Step 4 – Seek support from friends, family, or professional counsellors. Talking to someone you trust can help you cope with the emotional impact and provide additional guidance. You are not alone, Dolly’s Dream is here to support Australian families.

Step 5 – Monitor and follow up: Keep an eye on the situation even after reporting it. Ensure that the platform or authorities are taking appropriate action. Strengthen your account security by changing passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and regularly reviewing your privacy settings to prevent further bullying.

Check in with your child and continue to have ongoing open conversations about the situation, making sure that they feel safe.

How parents and carers can help

Teach our kids to recognise when they need help – when they can’t solve a problem, or are feeling stressed, upset, scared, sleepless, or overwhelmed.

Help them make a list of trusted adults they could talk to.

Teach them the key steps to asking for help, including deciding who to ask, thinking about what to say beforehand, finding a quiet time and place to talk, and telling other people if the first person can’t help them.

Remind them that everyone needs help sometimes – including parents.

Support services and resources

Dolly’s Dream Support Line Australia wide, free 24-hour telephone and webchat service with qualified counsellors available to help by calling 0488 881 033.

The Kids Helpline is available 24 hours a day for young children and teens: 1800 551 800 or online here.

The Dolly’s Dream Parent Hub provides trusted information about online safety and bullying in one place.

The Beacon Cyber Safety free app provides families with trustworthy, practical resources to help them confidently navigate their children’s technology use and reduce associated harms.

For more information and resources, please visit dollysdream.org.au.