
Ask how he or she is spending lunch break and time before and after school. Here are some actions to take if you suspect your teen is being bullied, or to help him or her avoid being bullied:Īsk questions. Youth usually are singled out because of psychological traits, such as extreme passivity, sensitivity to criticism, or low self-esteem. Surprisingly, youth who are overweight, wear glasses, or are smart are no more likely to be bullied than others. Typically, assertive, self-confident children do not become victims of bullying. What you can do if your teen is the victim of a bully Telling is when you report that you or someone else is in danger. Tattling is when you report something just to get someone in trouble. Explain the difference between tattling and telling. Strive to turn your teen into a catalyst for change. Youth need to know that taking a stand for what is right can be very effective. By simply saying, "That's not cool," a bystander can stop a bully's activities. Training through role-playing can help youth recognize a potentially harmful situation and do something positive. Since bullies love an audience, a bystander's encouragement or toleration of the bully will make the bully stronger. Bystanders are kids who witness but are not victims of bullying. Some experts suggest that changing the attitudes and involvement of bystanders could have the biggest impact on bullies. It's harder to see and explain, and involves one person's word against another. This type of bullying is much harder for parents to get a handle on because it's sneaky, quiet, or underhanded. They also use body language or nonverbal actions to exclude others. Teen girl bullies do this by intentionally spreading rumors about another person.

Females were more likely to report verbal and psychological bullying, including sexual harassment and rumor mongering.Ī significant bullying problem involves controlling or manipulating others by damaging or threatening to damage valued relationships. Physical bullying is the most common for males - being hit, slapped, or push. Research has found that males were both more likely than females to bully or to be victims of bullying. Asking for extra school supplies or extra lunch money.
