What to do if your child is being bullied

If your child tells you that they’re being bullied

Be led by how your child is feeling and make sure you can give your child your full attention. They might feel more comfortable talking in the car when you’re not looking directly at them, or they might prefer to do it at home or whilst on a walk.

Remain calm, even if you’re upset or angry. Your child might be feeling scared or embarrassed. You can help them respond to what’s happening in a way that feels right to them.

Children and young people affected by bullying may lack confidence. Remind them that it’s not their fault and that they’re loved and valued. You can also support them in finding things to do that make them feel good. For example, they might enjoy:

Listening to or playing music

Doing sport or exercise

Attending clubs or classes

Some children respond well to having a journal to draw or write their feelings in. This can be useful if they’re confused or ashamed about what’s happening.

If your child is being bullied by a school peer

If your child is being bullied by someone they’re at school with, you can talk to the school. It doesn’t matter whether the bullying is happening on the premises, outside or online. All schools have a responsibility to protect their pupils from bullying.

When you’re aware that bullying is happening, the first person to contact should be the class teacher, form tutor, head of year or house tutor.

If your child is being bullied at a sports or activity club, talk to the person in charge.

It’s important to work in partnership with the school or activity club to resolve the situation effectively.

There may be more information and support on your local authority website.

Learn more about approaching your child’s school or activity club to talk about bullying here.

If your child is being bullied online

If the bullying is happening online, such via social media, you can report posts or comments to the platform if they are offensive or are causing your child distress.

If your child is being bullied via voice chat on a platform such as Skype, Discord or an online game, you can still block and report the accounts involved.

If sexual images or videos have been shared, these can be reported to Report Remove and CEOP.

Don’t simply remove your child’s device, as this can sometimes make them feel less likely to speak up in the future. They may also try to access the internet elsewhere.

Instead, be sure to review your child’s privacy settings and make sure they know how to block and report accounts that cause them distress. You can usually find this information in the platforms settings or help section, alongside information on useful parental controls.

Take a look at the CEOP education platform which has advice on online safety for young people.

If your child doesn’t want to speak with you about bullying

If they don’t want to talk to you, suggest they chat with another trusted adult, such as a teacher, school nurse or family member. Talking to their friends can also help, but it’s good practice to make sure they are receiving support from an adult too. Reach out to their school or to a school nurse if you’re worried.

You could also suggest they contact Childline.

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.

In some severe cases, incidents of bullying need to be reported to the police, especially if it involves harassment, sexual harm or hate crimes/incidents.