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StopBullying.gov, a Website managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has five great tips for kids about how to deal with bullying:

1. Treat everyone with respect

Nobody should be mean to others. Stop and think before you say or do something that could hurt someone. If you feel like being mean, find something else to do. Keep in mind that everyone is different. Not better or worse. Just different.

2. What to do if you’re bullied

Look at the person bullying you and tell him or her to stop in a calm, clear voice. If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away. Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying on the spot.

3. Protect yourself from cyberbullying

Always think about what you post. Being kind to others online will help to keep you safe. Keep your passwords secret! And think about who sees what you post online. Friends? Friends of friends? Strangers? Use your privacy settings!

4. Stand up for others

When you see bullying, tell a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone. The kid who is bullying will think it is ok to keep treating others that way. And be kind to the kid being bullied. Show them that you care by trying to include them.

5. Get involved

Find out about where and when bullying happens at your school. Think about what could help. Then share your ideas. Talk to the principal about getting involved at school. Join a school safety committee. Create posters. Be a role model for younger kids.

(adapted from “What Kids Can Do” at StopBullying.gov)