Bullying

There are different types of bullying, whether in person or online.

Bullying can happen to anyone. It can be a one off, or a regular, ongoing experience. 

Bullying can take place anywhere, such as: 

• At school 

• Outside of school, such as at home, in the street or at an activity club or sports team 

• On social media, via instant messages, comments or posts 

• In online games or chatrooms 

Bullying can sometimes be linked to hate crimes. 

A hate crime/incident is when someone bullies or commits a crime against another person because they perceive them to be different in some way. For example, because of sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion, or disability. 

For a hate crime/incident to take place, it does not always have to involve physical harm or violence. If someone is harassing another person, using offensive language towards them or posting abusive messages online, then this counts as a form of hate crime. 

Experiencing bullying

Experiencing bullying or being the victim of a hate crime can make life very difficult. 

People who are on the receiving end of bullying or hate may find that it has negatively affected their mood and confidence. They may feel worthless, lonely, isolated and anxious. In some severe cases, people can develop anxiety and depression, or turn to unhealthy coping strategies. 

Speak to a health professional such as a GP if your child is showing signs of distress such as low mood, anxiety or self-harm. 

Read more information about what to do if your child is being bullied here.

Signs your child might be being bullied

People who are being bullied often feel alone and may not feel strong enough to stand up to their bullies. They may find it difficult to speak to others about their experiences too. 

If your child is being bullied, they might: 

• Seem reluctant to go to school or do a certain activity (such as sports training) 

• Have unexplained tummy upsets or headaches 

• Show signs of distress on a Sunday night or at the end of school holidays 

• Become more quiet or withdrawn 

• Have torn clothes, missing belongings or injuries 

• Seem upset after using their devices – such as their phone, tablet or games console 

• Want to leave for school much earlier than necessary or return home late

Click here to read our article on what to do if your child is being bullied