📊 The Reality of Bullying
- 20% of students (12–18 years) experience bullying.
- 15% face cyberbullying (via texts, social media, gaming).
- Both can cause anxiety, depression, and academic struggles.
🛡️ If Your Child Is Bullied
1. Stay Calm & Listen
✔ Ask open-ended questions: “What happened? How did it make you feel?”
✔ Avoid overreacting—your child may shut down.
2. Teach Assertiveness
- Practice confident body language: eye contact, firm voice.
- Use ”I want” statements: “I want you to stop. Leave me alone.”
3. Safety First
✔ Help your child avoid the bully (stick with friends, change routes).
✔ Identify trusted adults (teachers, coaches, bus drivers) to report to.
4. Work With the School
✔ Review the anti-bullying policy.
✔ Escalate to the principal or counselor if needed.
5. Build Confidence
- Find books/movies about overcoming bullying.
- Encourage extracurricular activities to boost social connections.
🚨 If Your Child Bullies Others
1. Address It Immediately
✔ Stay calm but firm: “Bullying is unacceptable.”
✔ Investigate why (stress? peer pressure?).
2. Teach Empathy
✔ Role-play apologies: “I’m sorry for ___. It won’t happen again.”
✔ Set clear consequences (loss of privileges, community service).
3. Monitor Behavior
✔ Partner with teachers to track progress.
✔ Model healthy conflict resolution at home.
📱 Cyberbullying: Signs & Solutions
🔍 Warning Signs
- Avoiding devices suddenly.
- Mood swings or dropping grades.
- Making excuses to skip school.
**✋ How to Respond**
- Save evidence (screenshots, messages).
- Report & block the bully (on apps + to the school).
- Limit screen time using parental controls.
- Legal action if threats involve violence.
💡 Prevention Tips
✔ Discuss online safety rules (e.g., no sharing personal info).
✔ Follow your child on social media (many teens have secret accounts).
✔ Use monitoring apps (Bark, Qustodio) to flag risky content.
💬 Keep the Conversation Going
✔ Check in daily: “Who did you sit with at lunch?”
✔ Normalize talking about feelings: “It’s okay to ask for help.”
Remember: Bullying can be stopped—but it takes action, patience, and support.
