Prom is a rite of passage for teenagers, and for many people, this semi-formal school event brings back memories of dressing up in fancy clothes and having a good time with friends. While most teens have a good time during prom season, there are others who only have bad memories about it because of the bullying that they experienced on what should have been a happy occasion. Some think that bullying at school dances only happens in the movies, but many teens are harassed, cruelly pranked, or even physically assaulted in real-life proms.

Take for instance the case of Emilee Perry, a student from Doncaster, England, who had to leave her prom earlier than she planned because another girl who she thought was her friend poured an entire jug of punch over her head. Although the girl was asked to leave, Emilee didn’t feel like celebrating anymore so she called her mom to pick her up. Every teen deserves to enjoy their prom night, so making the school or event space a no-bullying zone should be a priority. Here’s how students, parents, and teachers can prevent bullying during prom season.

Keep Prom Plans Off Social Media

Some bullies will go on social media to keep tabs on their victims so they can scheme about what they can do to them on prom night, or even prevent them from attending. If you know that your child is already being bullied in school, advise them to stay off social media while preparing for the occasion. Bullies have a way of using every little bit of information to hurt their victims, so the less they know about your child’s plans, the better. For instance, your teenager may be planning to post pictures of the dress or suit that they just got. While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, there’s a possibility that some students will want to bring them down by posting snarky or demeaning comments on their fashion choices, no matter how classy or stylish they are.

To keep their confidence and mood up, encourage them to take an Instagram or Facebook break before prom, and advise them not to tell anyone about their plans. To help them look and feel good for the big night, let them choose a prom gown designed to make an impression, and get them the right shoes and accessories to finish off the look. You may also want to treat your child and bring them to a salon to get their hair and makeup done by a professional. The goal is to keep them happy and engaged during the preparation process so they can turn up at prom in the right headspace while looking their best.

Never Let Them Go to Prom Alone

If your child doesn’t have any school friends to go to prom with, don’t let them go by themselves. If they’re allowed to bring a guest, ask an outgoing, same-age relative or family friend to go with them so they have someone to talk to and have fun with. Having someone with them may also deter bullies from picking on your child since they usually go for those who are alone, perceiving them to be an easy target. See to it that they arrive safely by driving them to school or the event venue.

Volunteer as a Prom Chaperone

Prom chaperones are parents or family members who volunteer to keep everything running smoothly during the big night. While some of their responsibilities include helping students deal with wardrobe malfunctions and providing directions around the venue, they can also be a big help to prevent any kind of bullying from taking place at prom. They can keep an eye on a student’s behavior and step in if the situation calls for it, so if you want to protect your teen and others from being bullied, consider volunteering as a chaperone.

It’s difficult for just one or two people to keep an eye on everyone, so if you’re a teacher, encourage more parents to volunteer as chaperones. Before the event begins, brief parents on what to do if someone tries to bully a student so they can have a unified approach as chaperones, and act accordingly if someone gets harassed or physically assaulted. If they have witnessed the bullying incident in its entirety, ask them to provide details so that the school can take action, do a thorough investigation, and enforce anti-bullying policies.

All teenagers should have a happy and memorable experience on prom night. Consider these tips to prevent bullying during prom season, and help teens to enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime special event.