Preventing bullying in schools – what works, and what risks making it worse

18 March 2026

Webinar with Dr Karyn Healy

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School bullying can have devastating effects on young people, yet not all anti-bullying programmes are effective—and some can even make things worse, particularly in secondary schools. While bystander-focused approaches often look promising, research shows they don’t always reduce bullying long-term. Evidence suggests the most effective programmes are comprehensive, long-term, and include parent involvement, firm discipline, and improved supervision.

This webinar with internationally recognised bullying prevention expert Dr Karyn Healy will explore what decades of research reveal about successful strategies for preventing and responding to bullying, as well as the unintended consequences of some well-intentioned popular programmes.

The webinar will cover:
• What bullying is, and what it isn’t
• Some common anti-bullying programmes, and the issues with these
• The characteristics of effective approaches to preventing and responding to bullying
• Tips for equipping students to manage situations themselves before they escalate
• Guidance for working alongside parents

About the presenters

Dr Karyn Healy

Karyn is a researcher and psychologist with extensive experience working with schools and families to address bullying and improve relationships. Her PhD was about intervening with families to improve outcomes for victims of bullying. She is first author of Resilience Triple P(RTP), an evidence-based program for children bullied at school. She was commissioned by Australia’s Safe and Supportive School Communities Committee to develop a professional development resource for school staff about working with parents to address bullying. She is also an Associate Editor of the Journal of Child and Family Studies and was a member of the Queensland Anti-Cyberbullying Committee (2019-2020).

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