Should You Stand Up to a Bully?

You hear a commotion in the cafeteria. The school bully is at it again. Look around—how are other kids reacting? Some are likely ignoring the situation. Others might be shooting video or snapping pics. What are YOU doing?

About one out of five students in the U.S. report being bullied. Ross Ellis is the head of STOMP Out Bullying, an organization trying to stop that. She says the worst reaction when you see bullying is to be a bystander. That’s a person who witnesses bullying but doesn’t do anything to stop it.

“When you do nothing, you’re sending a message to the bully that their behavior is OK,” Ellis explains.

You hear a commotion in the cafeteria. The school bully is at it again. Look around. How are other kids reacting? Some are likely ignoring the situation. Others might be shooting video or snapping pics. What are YOU doing?

About one out of five students in the U.S. report being bullied. Ross Ellis is the head of STOMP Out Bullying. The organization works to end bullying. Ellis says the worst reaction when you see bullying is to be a bystander. That’s a person who witnesses bullying but doesn’t try to help.

“When you do nothing, you’re sending a message to the bully that their behavior is OK,” Ellis explains.

Instead, she suggests, be an upstander—someone who supports the person being bullied. But there are different ways to do that. And Ellis says the best solution isn’t always to get directly involved.

So how do you know when to stand up to a bully? And what are other ways you can help? On the next page, Ellis weighs in on two situations.

Instead, she suggests, be an upstander. That’s someone who supports the person being bullied. But there are different ways to do that. And Ellis says the best solution isn’t always to get directly involved.

So how do you know when to stand up to a bully? And what are other ways you can help? On the next page, Ellis weighs in on two situations.

Standing up to bullies takes courage. After all, you don’t want the mean kids to turn on you. But since these are your teammates and the situation doesn’t seem dangerous, you should help Maddie. One way is to call out the bullies.

“Keep it simple,” Ellis suggests. “Tell the bully that what they’re doing is mean and wrong.”

You could also stand up to the bullies indirectly. For example, try distracting them by changing the subject. Or ignore them and walk over and include Maddie yourself. Either way, you’re showing Maddie that you’re there for her.

Standing up to bullies takes courage. After all, you don’t want the mean kids to turn on you. However, these are your teammates. And as the situation doesn’t seem dangerous, you should help Maddie. One way is to call out the bullies.

“Keep it simple,” Ellis suggests. “Tell the bully that what they’re doing is mean and wrong.”

You could also stand up to the bullies indirectly. For example, try distracting them by changing the subject. Or ignore them and walk over and include Maddie yourself. Either way, you’re showing Maddie that you’re there for her.