When a child's mood shifts suddenly or they start avoiding school, bullying may be the cause. In this episode of Parenting Unplugged, our experts explain traditional and cyberbullying and offer practical steps parents can take to support their child.
Understanding bullying & cyberbullying
Bullying is unwanted, repetitive aggressive behavior that involves a power imbalance. It can be physical, verbal, social exclusion or rumor spreading. Cyberbullying extends these behaviors into digital spaces like social media, gaming forums, and group chats, and can include harassment, threats, fake accounts, sharing images without consent and catfishing.
Warning signs to watch
Common indicators that a child may be experiencing bullying include:
- Sudden mood changes, irritability, or withdrawal
- School avoidance, declining grades, or frequent nurse visits
- Unexplained physical complaints or damaged belongings
- Changes in sleep, appetite, or screen habits
- Secretive device use or deleting messages and accounts
Why cyberbullying is different
Cyberbullying follows kids anywhere their devices go, can be anonymous, spreads quickly, and leaves a durable digital footprint. Harassment may occur across platforms and at all hours, which can heighten stress and make it feel harder to escape.
Creating open communication
Keep consistent, judgment-free conversations so your child feels safe sharing concerns. When they open up, avoid responding with anger or shame. Validate their feelings, thank them for telling you, and plan next steps together.
Practical steps to prevent & address bullying
- Set clear expectations for device use and online behavior, including time limits and privacy settings
- Educate your child about safe online practices and how to block or report harmful content
- Save evidence of bullying such as screenshots, dates, and usernames
- Report incidents to the platform, school, and in serious cases law enforcement
- Build coping skills and resilience through routine, supportive statements, and problem-solving together
Partnering with schools & when to escalate
If peer bullying is occurring, contact the school counselor or social worker and document each incident. If an adult is involved or there are threats, escalate to the appropriate authorities. Collaboration helps ensure a coordinated plan for safety and follow-up.
| Listen on YouTube | Listen on Spotify |
