Mean moments, conflict or bullying?

A mean moment, a disagreement, and bullying are not always the same. Someone can say or do something hurtful once; a conflict can be a problem where people disagree; and bullying is usually repeated behaviour meant to hurt, frighten, exclude, or control someone.

Bullying can involve a power imbalance or a group pile-on. It can happen in person, in a group chat, or on social media — for example, repeated name-calling at school, people using a chat to freeze someone out, or posts and comments meant to humiliate someone.

You do not have to prove every part of a definition before asking for help. If it feels unsafe, repeated, threatening, humiliating, isolating, or hard to stop, tell a trusted adult.

If there is immediate danger or a threat, seek urgent local help and tell a trusted adult now. This site is not monitored 24/7.