Prevent Bullying: Quick Tips for Parents

Teach your child that bullying is wrong.

Tell your child why you are concerned about bullying.

• “In our family, we believe that everyone deserves respect. When you say mean things, leave other kids out on purpose, or push and hit, that’s not being respectful.”
• “It’s hard to know what to do if someone is picking on you. If you ever have a problem, we can figure out what to do together.”

Play the “what if” game with your child.

Try asking your child questions, like “What would you do if:

• …you saw someone getting picked on?”
• …someone sent you a mean text message?”
• …you hurt someone’s feelings?”

Thinking through the answers to questions like these can help children be more prepared to handle difficult situations.

Look for the warning signs of bullying.

Talk with your child about what’s going on at school. Your child might be being bullied if he or she:

• Doesn’t want to go to school
• Has cuts or bruises
• Is acting unhappy or anxious
• Complains of headaches or stomachaches

Your child might be bullying other children if he or she:

• Has a hard time controlling anger
• Is very rough or aggressive
• Is getting in trouble at school
• Has friends who are bullying other children

Speak up if you see signs of bullying.

• Talk to your child’s teacher or school counselor if you think your child is involved in bullying.
• If your child is bullying others, she may need help learning how to deal with anger or other problems.
• If your child is being bullied, tell him you support him and you’ll figure out what to do together. Encourage him to get help from a teacher or school counselor. Remember, “fighting back” isn’t a good way to deal with bullying.

Help your child learn kindness and respect.

• Encourage your child to participate in activities with other children. This can help her build confidence and learn how to work well with others.
• Help your child learn how to be kind and respectful to others by setting a good example. You can teach your child a lot by treating him and others with respect.

Learn more about bullying.

Talk to other parents and your child’s school to find out how to handle bullying.

• Find out about the school’s policies on bullying.
• Ask other parents how they help their kids stay safe on social media sites.
• If you have a smart phone, get the KnowBullying app from store.samhsa.gov/apps/knowbullying. It has simple conversation starters to use with your child.