WITH Bullying No Way Week running from 17 to 21 August, families and schools are being encouraged to take a closer look at how bullying is affecting children, in the playground and online.
A new national campaign, Let’s Stop Bullying, has been launched with free resources aimed at helping school-aged children, parents and carers recognise bullying and respond to harmful behaviours.
The campaign follows the 2025 Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, which found more than one in four students in Years 4 to 9 reported experiencing regular bullying.
Cyberbullying is also becoming an increasingly significant concern, with the review reporting that more than half of young Australians have experienced it.
The nature of bullying is changing too, with concerns now extending to image-based abuse, artificial intelligence-generated material and deepfakes.
For families in regional communities, where access to specialist support can sometimes be more difficult, knowing where to turn can make an important difference.
Clinical psychologist and co-chair of the Anti-Bullying Rapid Review, Dr Charlotte Keating, said bullying was not always easy for adults to identify.
“Bullying today is no longer limited to physical shoving and name-calling in the playground,” Dr Keating said.
“It can be quieter and less visible, but the harm it causes is very real.”
She said bullying could affect a young person’s confidence, wellbeing and schooling, with consequences that could continue beyond their school years.
Professor Jo Robinson AM, co-chair of the review, said early recognition was important.
“Bullying can have a significant impact on students’ mental health and wellbeing,” she said.
The campaign encourages parents and carers to have open conversations with children and to understand the signs that something may be wrong.
Free resources covering bullying and other harmful behaviours are available through the Let’s Stop Bullying website.
The materials have been developed with organisations including Dolly’s Dream, Cool.org and PROJECT ROCKIT, with further resources for school staff expected to be added ahead of the 2027 school year.
For local families, the message is simple: bullying does not have to be faced alone, and knowing what to look for, and where to seek help, is an important first step.
Resources are available at LetsStopBullying.gov.au.
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