For parents and the community

It takes a village to address bullying

Preventing and responding to bullying is a shared responsibility. When parents, carers, schools and communities work together, we can create safer, more inclusive learning environments. By modelling kindness, empathy and respect, we help young people feel safe, valued and connected.

What bullying is

Bullying is the ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm.

Bullying behaviours can involve an individual or a group misusing their power (or perceived power) over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening.

Bullying behaviours can happen in person or online and it can be obvious (overt) or hidden (covert).

Bullying behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time (e.g. through sharing of digital records).

Bullying behaviours can have immediate, medium and long-term effects on those involved, including bystanders.

Source: National definition of bullying for Australian schools, Bullying No Way

What bullying isn't

• Conflict, fights or arguments between equals
• One-off acts of meanness, spite or social rejection, or not liking someone
• Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence

However, these behaviours can still be very upsetting, if a behaviour has impacted your child, it is important to address it. If you are not sure how to address the behaviour, Parentline can help. Call 1300 30 1300.

Watch this short animation to learn more about what bullying is—and what it isn't—based on the national definition.

Understanding what bullying is—and isn't—helps parents and carers respond with confidence and work effectively with the school to support their child.

My child is being bullied

Reach out to an expert

Parentline offers free, confidential support for Queensland parents and carers. Their experienced counsellors provide personalised advice.

Getting help early can make a big difference. Whether you're not sure how to talk to your child, work with the school, or just need someone to talk to—Parentline is here for you.

Working with your child's school

If your child is being bullied or you have concerns about bullying behaviour at school, working together with the school is the best way to find a solution.

Steps you can take:

1. Listen and support—encourage your child to share their feelings and reassure them it's not their fault.
2. Stay calm and positive—it's understandable that you may feel an emotional response however your child needs you to remain calm, confident and reassuring.
3. Get the facts—ask gentle questions to clearly understand what's happening, when and who is involved.
4. Document incidents—keep notes on specific events, including dates, places and details.
5. Partner with the school—reach out to the school to create a collaborative plan to address the bullying. If you would like assistance in partnering with the school, you may wish to speak to a Parent Navigator.
6. Seek additional support—connect with services such as Parentline for additional support.

Cyberbullying

Keeping your child safe online

The online world is constantly changing—and it can be hard to know how to keep your child safe online.

Parents who understand online safety are better prepared to guide their children in managing digital conflicts. This has been shown to reduce cyberbullying by up to 20%.

Source: eSafety Commissioner, Australia, 2023

You play a key role in helping your child stay safe and confident online. Here are some practical things you can do:

• Use Parental controls—use tools for online monitoring.
• Walk the talk—set reasonable screen time boundaries and prioritise device-free moments for the whole family (even for yourself).
• Talk about it—start non-judgmental conversations (PDF, 1.76MB) with your child about their online activities to build trust.
• Set family rules—involve your child in setting age-appropriate rules. Display them for the family to access and stick to them consistently.
• Learn about online safety—stay informed about online trends. Teach your child about privacy, risks of sharing personal info and respectful online behaviour.

Visit the eSafety Commissioner's website for trusted, up-to-date information and resources for families.

Supporting your child when things go wrong online

Keeping children safe online can be a challenge. Even with your best efforts, negative experiences, such as cyberbullying, exposure to harmful content or unwanted contact, can still occur.

Here are some steps you can take when things go wrong online for your child:

1. Listen and support—create a safe space for your child to share their feelings. Actively listen without judgement, providing emotional support to build trust.
2. Collect evidence—seek professional help immediately if your child is at risk. Gather evidence such as the usernames of the accounts and URLs of the profiles used to target your child, and the times and dates the content was sent or shared. This information can be used for reporting.
3. Report and block—use online platforms' reporting features to address inappropriate behaviour. Guide your child through reporting and blocking users involved in online bullying.
4. Contact your child's school—share concerns with your child's teachers or school administrators. Schools have processes to address online issues that involve other students.
5. Seek professional help for your child—consider support services like eSafety, headspace, Kids Helpline and Parentline for additional assistance.

If you need someone to talk to or are looking for advice to support your child, services like Parentline or the Raising Children Network are available to help.

My child is doing the bullying

It can be confronting and upsetting to learn your child may be involved in bullying. But staying calm and approaching the situation with curiosity rather than anger can help your child feel safe enough to open up and reflect on their behaviour.

Getting professional advice can make a big difference

Parentline offers support and practical guidance on how to respond, what to say, and how to work through it together.

Steps you can take to help:

1. Stay calm—a calm, curious approach builds trust and helps your child feel safe.
2. Ask gentle questions—use open, non-judgmental questions like, 'What was going on for you when that happened?' to better understand your child's perspective.
3. Prioritise connection—how that you're there to support them. Kids are more likely to change when they feel heard.
4. Avoid rushing to punish—focus on understanding the underlying reasons behind your child's actions, rather than immediately punishing.
5. Encourage empathy—help your child consider how their behaviour affects others.
6. Collaborate with the school—work proactively with teachers, reach out to the support staff in your child's school or connect with the Parent Navigator service.
7. Model respectful behaviour—demonstrate positive interactions at home and discuss respectful ways to manage conflict.
8. Seek external support—consider support services such as Parentline for additional guidance.
9. Listen—listen to your child, let them share what's happened, how they feel and what help they need.
10. Check in—check in with your child regularly about how things are going, and taking further action such as following up with the school again if necessary.

Support for parents and carers

Knowing what to do if your child is involved in bullying behaviours can be challenging and emotional, but you are not alone, and there are steps you can take.

You can:

• reach out to your school. There are a range of support staff in schools who can help
• call Parentline on 1300 30 1300 (available from 6am to midnight, 7 days) for free and confidential support.

Parentline provides free and confidential support and for a range of parenting concerns, including bullying.

As part of the Parentline service, Parent Navigator provides free service for parents seeking support in working with their child's school about bullying behaviour concerns. Find out more about Parent Navigator.

Additional resources:

• Bullying No Way—is a resource that can help you understand the definition of bullying and the role of parents as well as practical tips for families around working with schools.
• Raising Children Network—provides evidence-based resources to help parents understand, prevent, and respond to bullying at school and online.
• Managing conflict and recognising bullying in the Early Years—is a guide focused on young children and offers strategies to promote positive behaviour and resolve issues early.

Support for children and young people

If your child is experiencing bullying or struggling with their mental health, these services offer free and confidential support.

Kids Helpline
24/7 free, confidential counselling for young people aged 5–25.
Call 1800 55 1800
Chat online
Website: kidshelpline.com.au

Headspace
Mental health support for young people aged 12–25.
Call 1800 650 890
Chat or email online
Website: headspace.org.au

Partnering with your child's school

Working in partnership with your child's school is an effective way to address bullying. When schools and families work together, children feel more supported, both at home and at school.

• Speak to the school early—raise your concerns with your child's teacher or student support staff and ask about their bullying prevention and response process. The Bullying and school aged students fact sheet provides more information on what you can expect of Queensland state schools in responding to bullying.
• Focus on partnership—approach conversations with a calm, solution-focused mindset to help build a positive working relationship.
• Check the school's website—check their bullying policy and student code of conduct to understand how the school responds to bullying.
• Follow up—check in with your child and the school to monitor how things are going and if further support is needed.
• Reach out for help—if you need support navigating school processes, call Parentline on 1300 30 1300 and ask to be referred to a Parent Navigator (for Queensland state school families).

If you're unsure how to raise the issue or what steps to take, parents of children in Queensland state schools can access the Parent Navigator service for help building positive partnerships with their child's school.

I need help now

If you believe your child is in immediate danger or there is a risk to their safety, call Triple Zero (000).

• Parentline—free, confidential support for all Queensland parents and carers. Call 1300 30 1300.
  • Parent Navigator—helping parents of Queensland state school students work with their school to address bullying. Find out more about Parent Navigator.
• Kids Helpline—free support for children and young people. Call1800 55 1800
• Headspace—mental health support for young people aged 12–25. Call 1800 650 890
• eSafety—practical advice and help with issues like cyberbullying, unwanted contact and online safety.

Parentline

Parentline is a free, confidential phone and online service for all Queensland parents and carers. Their qualified counsellors can support you with a wide range of parenting concerns—not just bullying. This includes things like anxiety, friendships, behaviour, parenting strategies and family challenges.

Parent Navigator

As part of the Parentline service, you can request a referral to a Parent Navigator who supports partnership between parents and carers and school.

A Parent Navigator supports parents and carers when their child is involved in bullying behaviour. A Parent Navigator is independent from the school but understands how schools operate. They work alongside you to help you feel heard, understood and confident in the steps you can take.

What kind of support the Parent Navigator service provides

A Parent Navigator can help you:

• work in partnership with the school
• support respectful, solutions focused communication
• prepare for meetings with the school
• assist you in communicating with the school
• explore your options if you're unsure what to do next
• identify who to talk to and what to expect
• discuss pathways if the issue remains unresolved.

Who can access a Parent Navigator

Parents and carers of children and young people enrolled in Queensland state schools can access the Parent Navigator service.

How do I access a Parent Navigator

If you would like guided help to work with your child's school about a bullying concern, you can access support from a Parent Navigator by calling Parentline.

Parentline counsellors will listen to your situation and refer you to the service if you are interested. Parentline is available 7 days a week, from 6am until midnight, on 1300 30 1300.

Parentline contact information

Available 7 days a week, from 6am until midnight.
Phone: 1300 30 1300
Webchat: Accessible via the Parentline website​​