Bullying takes many forms, and each form needs a slightly different response. This guide brings together 20 types of bullying found in schools, from physical and verbal harm to online harm, exclusion, and harm in places like the bus, lunchroom, and playground. Use it to recognize a pattern, find the right guide, and take the next step for a student.
How to Use This Guide
Start with the type that matches what you have seen. Each guide explains what it looks like in school, signs to watch for, what a student can do, and how teachers and parents can help. A student may face more than one type at once, so read the related guides linked on each page. If you are not sure whether a situation is bullying, start with Bullying vs. Conflict. If your child is being bullied, start with What to Do If Your Child Is Bullied.
All Types of Bullying
- Physical Bullying — Repeated physical harm or threats, such as pushing, hitting, or damaging belongings.
- Verbal Bullying — Hurtful words used again and again, such as insults, threats, or mocking.
- Social Exclusion — Deliberately leaving a student out of groups, games, or conversations.
- Rumors and Gossip — False or hurtful stories spread to damage a student’s reputation.
- Cyberbullying — Repeated harm through phones or computers that follows a student home.
- Social Media Bullying — Harmful posts, comments, or images shared on social platforms.
- Group Chat Bullying — Teasing, exclusion, or mocking inside a group chat.
- Online Gaming Bullying — Insults, sabotage, or exclusion during online games.
- Racial and Cultural Bullying — Harm aimed at a student’s race, culture, or background.
- Appearance and Weight Bullying — Teasing or exclusion based on how a student looks or their body.
- Disability-Related Bullying — Harm aimed at a student because of a disability or learning difference.
- LGBTQ+ Bullying — Harm aimed at a student’s identity or who they are.
- Sexual Harassment — Unwanted sexual comments, gestures, or touching that make school unsafe.
- Bus Bullying — Harm on the school bus, where supervision is limited and seats are close.
- Lunchroom Bullying — Exclusion, teasing, or pressure during lunch.
- Playground Bullying — Harm during recess, on equipment, fields, or courts.
- Bullying of New Students — Targeting a student who has just joined a school.
- Bullying vs. Conflict — How to tell repeated bullying from an ordinary disagreement.
- Why Bystanders Stay Silent — Why students who see bullying often say nothing, and safe ways to help.
- What to Do If Your Child Is Bullied — First steps for parents, from listening to contacting the school.
Find Classroom Help
Each guide links to classroom activities that build the skills students need. Use the Exercise Finder to find empathy, inclusion, bystander, and teamwork activities, and follow the Start Here plan to bring the Safe School Program to your school.
Frequently Asked Questions About Types of Bullying
How do I know which type my child is facing?
Start with where and how it happens: in person, online, at lunch, on the bus, or at recess. Read the matching guide, and note whether the behavior repeats and targets one student.
Can a student face more than one type at once?
Yes. A student may be excluded at lunch, teased in a group chat, and mocked in class. Read each related guide and share the full pattern with the school.
What should I do first if I suspect bullying?
Listen, write down what happened and how often, and contact the school through its usual route. Follow your school and district policy, and follow up until the pattern changes.
Where can I find classroom activities for these topics?
Use the Exercise Finder for activities matched to each topic, and follow the Start Here plan to bring the program to your school.
Want Help With This at Your School?
Want help with this at your school? Call 1-866-333-4553 or visit Start Here to begin the Safe School Program plan.
