TeenThreads Guide: Bullying & Cyberbullying

Why it happens, how it feels, how to deal with it, and how to protect yourself and others.

Bullying isn’t “just drama.”
It’s not “kids being kids.”
It’s not “a normal part of growing up.”

Bullying is harmful behavior that affects a teen’s mental health, confidence, school performance, and sense of safety.
Cyberbullying makes it even worse — because it follows you everywhere.

Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense to teens.

1. What Bullying Really Is

Bullying is repeated, intentional behavior meant to hurt, embarrass, or control someone.

It can be:

• Physical

Hitting, pushing, tripping, damaging belongings.

• Verbal

Insults, threats, name‑calling, slurs.

• Social/Relational

Exclusion, rumors, humiliation, silent treatment, turning people against someone.

• Cyberbullying

Harassment through phones, social media, group chats, gaming platforms.

Bullying is about power, not conflict.
Conflict is normal.
Bullying is abuse.

2. What Cyberbullying Looks Like

Cyberbullying hits differently because it’s:

• public
• permanent
• shareable
• anonymous
• nonstop

Examples:

• Screenshots used to embarrass someone
• Group chats created to talk about someone
• Fake accounts
• “Subtweets” or vague posts meant to target someone
• Posting private photos
• Excluding someone from private stories
• Sending threats or hateful messages
• Editing photos to humiliate someone

Cyberbullying can feel like the whole world is watching — even if it’s just a few people.

3. How Bullying Affects Mental Health

Bullying can lead to:

• anxiety
• depression
• panic attacks
• low self‑esteem
• trouble sleeping
• school avoidance
• emotional numbness
• feeling unsafe
• difficulty trusting people

It’s not “overreacting.”
It’s trauma.

4. Why Teens Bully (The Real Reasons)

Not excuses — just explanations.

• Insecurity

People who feel small try to make others feel smaller.

• Jealousy

They want what someone else has.

• Peer pressure

They bully to fit in or impress others.

• Learned behavior

They see bullying at home or online.

• Lack of empathy

Some teens don’t understand the impact of their actions.

• Need for control

Bullying gives them a sense of power.

5. Signs Someone Is Being Bullied

• sudden drop in grades
• avoiding school
• deleting social media
• isolating
• changes in mood
• hiding their phone
• unexplained injuries
• loss of appetite
• crying more
• saying “I’m fine” when they’re not

If you notice these signs in a friend, check in.

6. What Teens Can Do If They’re Being Bullied

1. Don’t respond to the bully

Bullies want a reaction.

2. Save evidence

Screenshots, messages, posts.

3. Block and report

Every platform has tools for this.

4. Tell a trusted adult

Teacher, counselor, parent, coach.

5. Stay close to supportive friends

Isolation makes bullying worse.

6. Don’t blame yourself

Bullying is about the bully, not the target.

7. What Friends Can Do

• Sit with them at lunch
• Walk with them between classes
• Include them in group chats
• Speak up if safe
• Report anonymously if needed
• Remind them they’re not alone

A friend’s support can literally change someone’s life.

8. What Teachers & Schools Can Do

• Create safe reporting systems
• Supervise hotspots (hallways, bathrooms, buses)
• Educate students about bullying
• Intervene early
• Support victims privately
• Hold bullies accountable
• Promote kindness and inclusion

Schools that take bullying seriously see fewer incidents.

9. What Counselors Can Do

• Provide a safe space to talk
• Teach coping skills
• Help rebuild confidence
• Support social skills
• Work with teachers and parents
• Monitor emotional well‑being

Counselors help teens heal from the emotional impact.

10. Myths About Bullying

❌ “Bullying makes you stronger.”

✔ No — support makes you stronger.

❌ “Ignore it and it will stop.”

✔ Bullies often escalate when ignored.

❌ “It’s just a joke.”

✔ If it hurts, it’s not a joke.

❌ “Only weak people get bullied.”

✔ Anyone can be targeted.

❌ “Snitching makes it worse.”

✔ Reporting protects you and others.

11. TeenTags & TeenLines 

TeenTag: #NotYourPunchingBag

You don’t deserve mistreatment.

TeenTag: #BlockReportMoveOn

Protect your peace.

TeenLine: “Silence protects the bully, not you.”

TeenLine: “Your worth isn’t up for debate.”

12. Trusted Mental‑Health Resources 

United States

• NIMH – Mental Healthhttps://www.nimh.nih.gov
• Mayo Clinic – Mental Healthhttps://www.mayoclinic.org
• SAMHSA – Mental Health Resourceshttps://www.samhsa.gov
• NIDA – Teen Substance Use Infohttps://nida.nih.gov
• AFSP – Suicide Prevention Educationhttps://afsp.org

Canada

• Kids Help Phonehttps://kidshelpphone.ca
• CMHAhttps://cmha.ca

United Kingdom

• YoungMindshttps://youngminds.org.uk
• Mind UKhttps://mind.org.uk

Europe

• Mental Health Europehttps://mhe-sme.org

Asia

• Samaritans of Singaporehttps://sos.org.sg
• TELL Japanhttps://telljp.com

Africa

• SADAG (South Africa)https://sadag.org

Latin America

• Fundación CADAH (Spain)https://fundacioncadah.org
• TDAH Méxicohttps://tdah.org.mx

13. Quiz: Bullying & Cyberbullying (20 Questions)

1. Bullying is:

1. A normal part of growing up
2. Repeated, intentional harm
3. A joke
4. HarmlessAnswer: B

2. Cyberbullying is:

1. Bullying online
2. A prank
3. Not serious
4. RareAnswer: A

3. A sign of bullying is:

1. Increased confidence
2. Avoiding school
3. More friends
4. Better gradesAnswer: B

4. A healthy response to bullying is:

1. Fight back
2. Stay silent
3. Tell a trusted adult
4. Bully them backAnswer: C

5. A myth about bullying is:

1. It hurts people
2. It causes emotional harm
3. It makes you stronger
4. It can happen to anyoneAnswer: C

6. Cyberbullying spreads because:

1. It’s private
2. It’s public and shareable
3. No one sees it
4. It disappears fastAnswer: B

7. A supportive friend will:

1. Ignore you
2. Sit with you
3. Laugh at the bully
4. Spread rumorsAnswer: B

8. Bullying is about:

1. Power
2. Friendship
3. Fun
4. ConfidenceAnswer: A

9. A safe strategy is to:

1. Save evidence
2. Delete everything
3. Respond angrily
4. Post about itAnswer: A

10. A red flag is:

1. Respect
2. Threats
3. Kindness
4. SupportAnswer: B

11. Cyberbullying can cause:

1. Happiness
2. Anxiety
3. Confidence
4. ExcitementAnswer: B

12. A bully often acts from:

1. Insecurity
2. Confidence
3. Kindness
4. PeaceAnswer: A

13. A healthy boundary is:

1. “Stop, I don’t like that.”
2. “Fine, whatever.”
3. Silence
4. Laughing it offAnswer: A

14. A school should:

1. Ignore bullying
2. Create safe reporting systems
3. Encourage drama
4. Stay silentAnswer: B

15. A friend who spreads rumors is:

1. Loyal
2. Unhealthy
3. Supportive
4. KindAnswer: B

16. Cyberbullying often happens on:

1. Texts
2. Social media
3. Group chats
4. All of the aboveAnswer: D

17. A victim of bullying may:

1. Feel unsafe
2. Feel proud
3. Feel excited
4. Feel confidentAnswer: A

18. A good coping strategy is:

1. Isolating
2. Talking to someone
3. Hiding it
4. Blaming yourselfAnswer: B

19. A myth is:

1. Bullying causes harm
2. Bullying is serious
3. Bullying is harmless
4. Bullying affects mental healthAnswer: C

20. The TeenThreads message is:

1. “You deserve safety and respect.”
2. “Bullying is normal.”
3. “Stay silent.”
4. “Drama is fun.”Answer: A