Bullying vs. teasing
By ReachOut Content Team
Updated 27 June 2025
What really is the difference between bullying and teasing? We’ve laid it out for you so it’s all crystal clear.
It can sometimes be hard to tell when teasing becomes bullying. If you're not having fun, if all of the teasing is directed at just one person, or if it's several people teasing one or two people, it may have turned into bullying. If you aren't sure, turn to someone you trust for support and advice.
What can I do now?
Take our quiz to suss out whether your friendship is toxic.
Read up on the ways to deal with a toxic friendship.
If you're not sure whether what you're dealing with is bullying or teasing, you can ask other young people on the ReachOut Forums.