How to document bullying

Most families are told to “document everything” — and then handed no way to actually do it. Good documentation has four qualities: it's contemporaneous (made close to the event), factual (not emotional), specific, and chronological.

What a strong record includes

• When & where — date, time or class period, and the specific place (including an app or platform).
• Who — the child or children involved (mark them “alleged”) and any witnesses, with their roles.
• What — exactly what was said and done, in order, with offensive words quoted directly.
• Type — physical, verbal, social/relational, cyber, or property.
• Evidence — screenshots, photos, messages, or items (see the evidence checklist).
• Reporting — who you told, how, and when; keep any case number.
• Impact — factual, observable effects only (missed school, a nurse visit) — never a diagnosis.

Six habits that make a record credible

1. Write it down as soon as possible after it happens.
2. Keep it factual, not emotional.
3. Be specific — names, exact words, exact place, exact date and time.
4. Keep entries in date order so the pattern is visible.
5. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.
6. Log every contact with the school — who, when, what was said, what was promised.

Do it the easy way

The guided investigator walks you through it as a short interview, and the record builder lets you log incidents directly. Both run entirely in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.