When a child is bullied, report it to school the same day and request a written response; for physical assault, theft, or rumor spreading, call the police immediately

There is no cost involved. Speak to the homeroom teacher and the school’s anti-bullying committee. To call the police, dial 110. The hard part is resisting pressure to “keep things quiet” or avoid making a big deal out of it.

This conclusion is based on 34 studies involving 284,375 children and teens. Peer bullying is linked to suicidal thoughts, with an OR of 2.23 (95% CI 2.10–2.37). Nine additional studies with 70,102 participants show bullying correlates with suicide attempts, with an OR of 2.55 (1.95–3.34). These results hold true regardless of gender, age, or study quality. Cyberbullying carries an even stronger link to suicidal thoughts than offline bullying. Article 21 of the “Regulations on Protecting Minors in Schools” lists five types of bullying: physical violence (punching, kicking, slapping, biting, pushing, or pulling); verbal abuse, mockery, or derogatory nicknames; theft, vandalism, or deliberate destruction of property; deliberate exclusion or isolation; and online defamation or spreading false rumors. The article also states that if a party with an advantage in age, physical strength, or numbers intentionally or maliciously commits such acts, causing physical harm, property damage, or emotional distress, it qualifies as bullying. Article 22 requires teachers to pay attention to any signs of emotional distress or physical injury and report them promptly. Article 23 mandates that schools investigate all reports, have the anti-bullying committee determine whether bullying occurred, and involve parents in the process. If bullying is confirmed, educational or disciplinary measures must be taken. Serious cases violating public order laws or criminal statutes must be reported to police and education authorities without delay (effective nationwide since September 1, 2021).

van Geel M, et al. (2014). Relationship between peer victimization, cyberbullying, and suicide in children and adolescents: a meta-analysis. JAMA Pediatrics. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamapediatrics.2013.4143；教育部 (2021). 未成年人学校保护规定（教育部令第 50 号，第二十一、二十二、二十三条）. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/zhengceku/2021-06/02/content_5614946.htm；教育部等十一部门 (2017). 加强中小学生欺凌综合治理方案（教督〔2017〕10 号，三（一））. https://www.gov.cn/gongbao/content/2018/content_5294435.htm

Article 22 names the signals: clear mood changes and bodily injury. If a child has injuries they cannot explain, or mood suddenly goes wrong, ask first. This pooled analysis only follows records and has no assigned controls, so it cannot prove bullying alone causes suicide. The direction and size of the risk are clear. The Plan for Comprehensive Governance of Bullying Among Primary and Secondary Students (加强中小学生欺凌综合治理方案) also requires a strict distinction between bullying and ordinary rough play among students. So the school must make a finding; a line like “kids just playing” is not enough.