All children that may be involved in bullying, whether they are the child being bullied, bullying others or seeing others being bullied, can be affected. It is important that you support all children involved to ensure it doesn’t continue and the issue is addressed.
Signs a Child May Be Experiencing Bullying
It’s not always easy for a child to speak up about being bullied. Here are some warning signs that may indicate a problem:
- Unexplained injuries
- Frequent complaints of headaches or stomachaches, especially when it's time to go to school
- Changes in eating habits—skipping meals, overeating, or irregular eating patterns
- Trouble sleeping or frequent nightmares
- Lost or missing personal items
- Drop in grades, loss of interest in school, or refusal to attend
- Sudden loss of friends or withdrawal from social situations
- Low self-esteem or feelings of helplessness
- Self-harming behaviors, running away or talking about suicide
Signs a Child is Bullying Others
- Are getting into physical or verbal fights
- Display increasingly aggressive behaviors
- Blame others for their actions
- Have unexplained new items or belongings
- Have friends who bully others
- Display competitive and worry about their reputation
Why Kids Stay Silent About Bullying
Children affected by bullying often don’t ask for help because they want to handle it themselves, fear being seen as tattletales, worry about retaliation, feel embarrassed, fear adult judgment, feel isolated, or fear peer rejection.
How to Support and Take Action
If your child is in serious emotional distress, don’t wait—reach out. Call or text 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support.
When adults respond with care, consistency, and action, it sends a clear message: bullying is never okay. Here's how you can help:
Be There: If your child is being bullied, the most powerful thing you can do is show up, listen, and believe them. Let them know you’re on their side and will work together to find solutions.
Listen Without Judgment: Stay calm and hear your child out. Ask open-ended questions, validate their feelings, and let them know it’s not their fault.
Know They May Not Open Up Right Away: It’s hard for some kids to talk about bullying. If they’re not ready to share with you, help them connect with a trusted adult—like a school counselor, teacher, or therapist.
Practice What to Do Next Time: Help your child think through how they might handle similar situations. Role-playing together builds confidence and gives them tools to respond safely.
Create a Plan Together: Connect with school staff, youth group leaders, or coaches to address the bullying and ensure your child feels safe and supported. Stay Involved and Keep Checking In: Bullying often doesn’t stop overnight. Be persistent and continue the conversation with your child and the adults who can help.
Know When to Seek Extra Help: If your child is showing signs of emotional distress—like withdrawing, losing interest in activities, or changes in mood—don’t hesitate to reach out to a mental health professional or call 988.
Mistakes to Avoid:
- Never tell your child to ignore the bullying.
- Do not blame or shame your child for being bulled. Even if he or she may have provoked the bullying, no one deserves to be bullied.
- Do not tell your child to fight back against the child who is doing the bullying. Your child could get hurt or in trouble.
- As a parent, you should not contact the other parents involved as it may make the matters worse. Contact the school or other officials to be mediators between the parents.