How to tackle teasing and bullying

Worried your child is being bullied and not sure how to tackle it? Use our action checklist to spot the signs of bullying and help beat it.

It’s a sad fact that most young people experience bullying at some stage. But while boys and girls are equally likely to be on the receiving end, for a girl it’s more often hidden to the casual observer. That’s why it’s important for parents to recognise the signs of bullying among girls and be aware of its dangers.

As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child – for them to be happy, healthy and confident individuals. 

But that’s sometimes easier said than done, especially during the teen and pre-teen years when their bodies are changing, their self-confidence is fragile and they are trying to make that tricky transition out of childhood. 

Social media issues permeate every aspect of a young person’s life these days, whether it’s revealing TMI (Too Much Info) about their boyfriend or girlfriend on Snapchat, having public spats with their BFF (Best Friend Forever) on Twitter or inadvertently inviting gatecrashers by posting party details on Facebook. 

During adolescence, your child might want to avoid ‘sticking out’, but there’s no need for them to pretend they're something they're not. Use our action checklist to help your daughter or son resist peer pressure and enjoy being themselves.

If your child has experienced bullying, we hope these anti-bullying activities will help them. Use The Letter Challenge video, activity and action checklist to give your daughter or son the confidence they need to put bullying behind them.

Bullying doesn’t just impact those directly involved. Perhaps your child isn’t a bully themselves, but has been a ‘bystander’ – someone who does nothing, even when they see someone being teased or bullied. They may think they are doing the right thing by keeping quiet – so it's important to teach them that by challenging a bully, instead of being a bystander, they can stop hurtful behaviour taking place.

During adolescence, girls are hypersensitive about their appearance and body changes during puberty, and may be more susceptible to teasing and bullying. Help your daughter feel confident about her changing body – and be more sensitive to the feelings of others – with the Sticks and Stones video and action checklist.

Bullying is a horrible fact of life and can affect us at any age. If your child is being bullied, use our action checklist to help them understand why it’s happening and how they can beat it.