Is your child being bullied?
It can be very upsetting to learn that your child is being bullied, has seen bullying happening to other children or is perhaps even being a bully themselves.
There are many different forms of bullying, including:
If you think your child is being bullied, there are signs to look out for:
- Being teased, put down, humiliated or called names
- Being pushed or pulled around, hit, kicked or physically hurt
- Having money or possessions taken or damaged
- Having rumours spread about you or being ignored and left out
- Being bullied online or via your phone
If you think your child is being bullied, there are signs to look out for:
- Shyness around other children
- Trouble expressing their thoughts
- Being anxious, fearful, becoming withdrawn or losing confidence
- Not wanting to go to school
- Suddenly not doing as well at school
- Damaged clothing, possessions or unexplained bruises
- Changes in eating or sleeping habits
How you can help your child:
- Encourage them to tell you what's happened and listen carefully without jumping to conclusions
- Try to stay calm and not react strongly when they tell you what’s wrong, as this could stop them from sharing anything else in the future
- Explain why and how bullying sometimes happens and reassure them that it’s not their fault
- Reassure your child that you’ll work together to find the best solution and then practise it through roleplaying or writing it down
- Praise your child for not only talking to you, but for coming up with a way to resolve the situation
- At no point should you encourage your child to fight back, as often this can make matters worse
- You should always inform the school of the situation, if you feel it’s appropriate
National support
The following organisations provide a range of useful information and advice:
CBBC Lifebabble: All you need to know about tackling bullying
Family Lives: Provides advice and support to families