Bullying Prevention School Resources for Online Education

Bullying is repeated, unwanted, and aggressive behavior where someone uses their power, real or perceived, to hurt someone or make them feel bad or intimidated. Cyberbullying takes place online, often using social media. Sometimes it's anonymous; sometimes, it's not.

of parents enrolled their students in a K12-powered school because of safety and/or mental health concerns

In a survey of parents during the 2020–2021 school year, 35 percent of those who responded said they enrolled their children in a K12-powered school because of safety and/or mental health concerns stemming from a previous school.

K12-powered schools are the safe space your family deserves. We know that bullying can impact a student's performance in the classroom. Teachers at K12-powered schools are specially trained in online instruction methods, including understanding and identifying cyberbullying. With more than 20 years of experience in online education, K12 provides a holistic approach to learning that drives student success and engagement.

Teachers specifically trained for online who recognize the signs of bullying behavior

Anti-bullying programs and educational awareness training and reporting for families

Monitored school social media accounts and groups

Special activities for families during Anti-Bullying Month in October

A zero-tolerance policy for bullying

An environment that helps students understand what bullying is and what it looks like while encouraging bystanders to take action

If you're an adult, intervene immediately, stay calm, model respectful behavior, and make sure everyone is safe. Send the message that bullying is not acceptable.

Keep the lines of communication open, and always listen. Make sure not to downplay the issues or think kids can handle them on their own.

Remember, parents and caregivers are students' number one advocates and know best about how their students learn. Some students learn best when they have fewer classroom distractions, like bullies. No matter the preferred method, experienced online providers offer families and teachers a personalized and structured experience to meet each student's learning needs.

Not all children who are bullied or are bullying others ask for help, so recognizing the warning signs is essential. According to StopBullying.gov, signs a child is being bullied might include:

• Unexplainable injuries
• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
• Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick, or faking illness
• Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they didn't eat lunch.
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school
• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations
• Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem
• Self-destructive behaviors such as running away, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

K12 is proud to partner with PACER, sharing specialized toolkits and resources with students and school districts to outline critical ways to recognize and respond to bullying. Find the resources you need to feel safe and supported in your school, community, and online. If you or someone you know is struggling with bullying, there is help.

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“No student should ever be worried about going to school or logging into class because they’re afraid of being abused or mistreated.”

— James Rhyu,
K12 Chief Executive Officer

In addition to the list of possible signs above, bullied kids might experience mental health effects like depression, anxiety, and loneliness; changes in physical health; and decreased academic achievement. They are more likely to miss or drop out of school and have increased suicidal ideation.

It's worth noting that the effects are not limited to the targeted children. Children who bully are also at risk. They are more likely to abuse alcohol and drugs, get into fights, drop out of school, and even carry that abusive behavior into adulthood.

While bullying is never okay, some situations may require emergency attention. These include cases where:

• A weapon is involved
• There is serious bodily harm. or threats of serious physical injury
• There are threats of hate-motivated violence such as racism, homophobia, or transphobia
• There is sexual abuse
• Anyone is accused of an illegal act such as robbery or extortion