Tips for Selecting Materials from 

the Resource List 

The National Bullying Prevention Campaign issued

a Call-for-Resources in an effort to develop a

comprehensive list of existing resources and

programs on bullying and bullying prevention. Be

sure to check back periodically for new resources

that may be submitted to the Web site. Authors,

program developers, and publishers who wish to

include additional materials should visit

www.bullyingresources.org for information on

submitting a resource.

Submitted materials have been included if they

• Focus on bullying, and

• Are appropriate for children and youth age 9

through 13 or teens or adults who shape their lives.

Inclusion of materials and programs on this Web

site does not signify an endorsement by the

Campaign, the United States Government/

Department of Health and Human Services, or any

of the Campaign’s partners or sponsors. 

In helping visitors select programs and materials that

will be most useful for them, we have included,

wherever possible, detailed information about the

resources. In addition, we have provided tips for

selecting resources such as books for children, youth,

and adults; videos; CD-ROMs; and brochures, as well

as tips about selecting bullying prevention programs.

Tips for selecting appropriate 

bullying prevention resources

1. Be sure that the books, videos, and other resources

selected for children and youth are developmentally

and age-appropriate. A description of the intended

age group or grade levels usually is provided. If not,

review the abstract or storyline and consider the

ages of the main characters. 

2. Look for materials that are ethnically and culturally

diverse and that avoid stereotypes.

3. Look for materials that explain and illustrate the

many forms that bullying can take. Although bullying

includes physical attacks (such as hitting, kicking,

and shoving), bullying can also involve teasing or

name-calling, rumor-spreading, social isolation, and

cyberbullying. 

4. Select materials that show boys AND girls involved

in bullying. Bullying isn’t just a problem for boys.

Both boys and girls bully others, and both boys and

girls experience bullying. 

5. Look for materials that suggest or show appropriate

and realistic solutions to bullying problems. Look for

stories that depict adults as positive role models

who are capable of dealing with bullying without

humiliating the children who bully or embarrassing

or blaming children who are bullied. Identify stories

that describe or depict appropriate ways for

children and adults to stop bullying when they see

it and offer support to those who are bullied. Avoid

resources that suggest that bullying can easily be

dealt with alone or without support from others.

6. Look for materials that have won awards or

received positive reviews by professionals, parents,

children, or youth. 

Warning signs of questionable resources

Beware of resources that inaccurately “stereotype”

children who bully or children who are bullied. For

example, beware of resources that show

• Children who bully are always boys. 

• Children who bully are always unpopular misfits.

• Children who are bullied always look “different”
These and other materials are available online at: www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov

from other kids, for example, they are overweight,

disabled, or wear funny clothes. 

Beware of resources that portray simplistic, unrealistic,

or harmful solutions to bullying, such as: 

• A child who bullies others is publicly humiliated

or injured.

• A child who is bullied physically retaliates against

the children who bully him or her.

• Peer mediation or conflict resolution strategies

are used to resolve bullying.

• A child who is bullied becomes good friends with

his or her tormentor. (Although this can happen,

it usually isn’t realistic to expect these children to

be good friends.) 

• A simple “one size fits all” approach is

recommended.

Beware of resources that downplay or minimize the

effects of bullying on children. Bullying is a very

serious issue and should not be dealt with lightly.

Bullying can be extremely harmful to children who

are bullied. Bullying behavior also can be a sign of

other serious antisocial and violent behavior. 

NOTE: Sometimes, resources with troublesome

messages or depictions can be still be used effectively

as a starting-point for discussion. For example, if a

children’s book depicts an overly simplistic resolution

to a bullying problem, an effective teacher may decide

to share the book with students but then discuss with

them, “Was this ending realistic? Was it safe? What

might be a better way to deal with bullying?”