Consider these 10 tips. (Courtesy- Canadian Red Cross)

1. Speak out. Bullying is a serious issue that can make a person feel isolated, but by speaking out against those who bully others, you have the power to stop it.

2. Refuse to go along with it. Youth who bully others often crave attention and an audience for their bad deeds. Those who laugh or cheer on people who bully are sending the message that they approve of their actions, but if you stand up for the person being targeted, you can show that you’re against the abusive behaviour.

3. Write down what happened. Incidents can happen quickly, making it difficult to remember everything that occurred. But by writing down all that you witnessed, you can paint a clearer image later on to those you speak to about it.

4. Get help from your friends. People who bully others may get support from a large group, but if you seek the assistance of your friends, you can get the support you need to speak out against bullying and harassment.

5. Be kind online. Young people are often targeted by people who bully online, but you can refuse to go along with this behavior by avoiding websites that may feature negative information about other students. By refusing to forward e-mails about other young people, being kind online and blocking someone who spreads rumors about others, you can send a strong anti-bullying message.

6. Protect your personal information. You should never give out your passwords, even to close friends, and you should avoid posting personal information online, as it could wind up in the wrong hands. If someone sends you abusive messages, you should always save these exchanges.

7. Seek out counseling. Don’t keep your problems hidden. If you’re feeling troubled as a bystander of bullying, or you’re being targeted by people who bully, you should consider speaking to a counsellor about your problems.

8. Talk to a trusted adult. Whether it’s a teacher, parent, relative or coach, if you witness bullying, you should reach out to an adult that you respect and trust. He or she can help you figure out the best approach to take and can try to put a stop to the behaviour.

9. Report the incident. In addition to talking to an adult you trust, you can report incidents to a principal or someone in authority. Making a formal complaint can be a good way to let an organization know about the problem and prevent future bullying.

10. Take action. Talk to your school or community about the possibility of forming a bullying prevention committee with teachers, parents and young people. You can also create a forum online to mobilize young people to speak out about acts of bullying and what can be done to stop them.