A service learning and advocacy project.
"Just ignore them!" "If you don't engage, they'll stop!" "If you just ignore them, they'll get bored."
If you've ever been a victim of bullying, these are phrases you know all too well. You may have even been a parent or teacher giving these words of advice to a student who's told you they are experiencing bullying. It's simple advice, right? If you ignore someone who is bullying or harassing you, they will stop, right?
While well intentioned, this type of advice typically no longer applies to bullying in today's world. Oftentimes, "just ignoring" someone is not taken as a sign to stop; it is taken as a sign to escalate.
Bullying in 2026 is not like how it appears in the movies: a kid in a varsity jacket shoving another into a locker or just teasing. Bullying today is often silent, stealthy, and secretive. While it may be all of these things, there's one thing bullying has remained to be: damaging.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (StopBullying.gov), students who are bullied are at increased risk of depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and other mental health challenges. Bullying can also negatively affect school performance, attendance, and overall well-being, and may lead to social withdrawal and isolation.
These effects can also include changes in eating and sleeping patterns and can continue long-term if not addressed.
Here's what real students had to say when asked..
"It genuinely ruins peoples lives, like i remember vividly how i got bullied 3 years ago, that entire experience changed my entire life. I haven’t been bullied in 3 years because literally Ive distanced myself so much from everything. I didn’t go to school for 2 years and now im getting homeschooled and doing even worse and im even more behind on my education." - P
"It often happens in subtle ways so that u avoid reporting them to a trusted adult because it sounds “silly” or too far-fetched. (Coming from someone who experienced this)" - K
"Subtle bullying is often overlooked, yet it can be very damaging. It usually comes in the form of passive aggressive remarks or backhanded compliments delivered with a smile. The bully hides the insult well enough to deny it if challenged. This creates self-doubt in the victim, who may laugh it off or question whether they are over sensitive." - M
Most students have heard the same advice over and over: ignore it, walk away, or tell a teacher. While that can help sometimes, it doesn’t reflect how bullying actually works today.
This site exists to give a more realistic view of bullying and what can actually help students, parents, and teachers handle bullying in today's world.
Note: This site provides general educational information and is meant to be a toolkit for both handling and advocating for support against bullying. This site is not a substitute for professional support. If you or someone or you know is expierencing a mental health crisis, text "HOME" to 741741 or call the National Suicide Hotline at 988.
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