GIVE US A BREAK: FOURTEEN YEARS ON, WHY ARE WE STILL FIGHTING BULLYING?
By Dr Anna Kennedy OBE
Every day, millions of children wake up and prepare for another day at school. For many, there is excitement about what lies ahead. Breakfast in a loving home, the anticipation of seeing friends, perhaps a favourite lesson or simply the joy of being part of something. Of course, some children would rather stay in bed than face another school day, but generally, life is good.
For others, however, their first waking thought is fear.
Why? Because somewhere beyond the safety of their front door, the bullies are waiting.
Imagine being a child who dreads going to school, not because of exams or homework, but because of the humiliation, intimidation and cruelty that may await them. Many are too frightened or ashamed to tell anyone, sometimes not even their own parents. They worry that somehow, they have failed, that they are not popular enough, clever enough or simply not like the other children.
They become experts at hiding their pain, reassuring parents that everything is fine and telling teachers what they think they want to hear. Yet the psychological damage can remain long after the school gates have closed for the final time, sometimes contributing to serious mental health problems in adulthood.
How many times have we read heartbreaking stories of children self-harming or, tragically, taking their own lives, only to hear a parent or friend say, “We thought they were happy. We had no idea anything was wrong”?
It is a devastating reminder that appearances can be deceptive.
Never be afraid to dig deeper. Ask that simple but potentially life-changing question: “Are you OK?” And, more importantly, take the time to listen to the answer.
Sadly, we never really leave the playground behind. Bullying follows people into adulthood, into workplaces, relationships, communities and sometimes even their own homes.
We must talk about bullying openly and without shame. If you are being bullied, you have nothing to be ashamed of. You have not failed, and you do not deserve what is happening to you.
Sometimes those who bully others are struggling with their own emotional difficulties. That may help explain their behaviour, but it can never excuse it.
Fourteen years ago, a campaign was launched with a simple but powerful message: Give Us a Break. Yet here we are in 2026, and the heartbreaking reality is that bullying remains as destructive as ever.
In 2012, my charity, Anna Kennedy Online, launched the Give Us a Break anti-bullying campaign, determined to challenge discrimination, encourage understanding and give a voice to those who too often suffer in silence.
Fourteen years later, the campaign continues. And perhaps the saddest question is: why do we still need it?
Bullying has evolved. Once associated primarily with school playgrounds, it now reaches into almost every corner of society. From classrooms and colleges to workplaces, social gatherings and the digital world, cruelty has found new platforms and, disturbingly, new audiences.
Social media has created a particularly toxic environment. Behind the perceived anonymity of a screen, individuals can humiliate, intimidate and destroy someone’s confidence with a few careless keystrokes. What takes seconds to type can leave emotional scars lasting a lifetime.
For autistic children and adults, the challenges can be especially painful. Being different should never mean becoming a target. Yet misunderstanding, ignorance and prejudice continue to leave many feeling isolated, excluded and frightened to be themselves.
Through Anna Kennedy Online, I have spent years campaigning for greater autism acceptance, understanding and inclusion. Our charity continues to champion individuals whose talents, personalities and contributions deserve celebration rather than judgement.
Organisations such as Born Anxious also help promote awareness and acceptance, encouraging important conversations about neurodiversity and the need to recognise and embrace individuality.
But bullying is not exclusively an issue affecting autistic people. It can happen to anyone, regardless of age, background, appearance, sexuality or ability. Adults can be just as vulnerable as children, and the consequences can be devastating.
Perhaps one of the most disturbing aspects of bullying is the silence surrounding it. How often do witnesses look away? How many people dismiss hurtful remarks as harmless banter? And how frequently do victims hear those dreadful words: “You’re being too sensitive”?
Words matter. Kindness matters. And standing up for someone who is struggling to find their voice matters enormously.
This November, as Give Us a Break marks fourteen years of campaigning, Anna Kennedy Online is renewing its call for compassion, respect and responsibility.
Our message is beautifully simple:
“Take 5 before you type.”
Five seconds to consider whether your words are necessary, whether they are kind and whether they might cause lasting harm.
Imagine how different our schools, workplaces and online communities could become if everyone adopted that small act of consideration.
We cannot eliminate bullying overnight, but we can challenge the culture that allows it to flourish. We can educate, encourage empathy and remind people that silence is not always the answer.
Fourteen years on, Give Us a Break remains more than a campaign. It is a reminder that acceptance should never be conditional and kindness should never be optional.
Different is not a reason to target someone.
And if there is one message I would like every child and adult experiencing bullying to hear, it is this:
You are not alone. You deserve to be heard, you deserve to feel safe, and above all, you deserve to be yourself.
Give Us a Break 2026 — Anna Kennedy Online.
Support without judgement.
For further information:
