It’s highly unlikely that you enjoy seeing your child get picked on or hear them tell stories of how they were mistreated on the playground. We naturally want to protect them from harm, but we can’t be with them every step of life. Sooner or later, almost all children will have to deal with a bully. It may be even more common today than when you were a kid.
Bullying happens in person and online. In 2019, 1 in 5 kids reported being bullied either physically, verbally, or socially. Bullying happens at school predominantly and leads to depression, anxiety, and loneliness. When kids get bullied, grades drop, social skills dry up, and isolation skyrockets. Sometimes, bullying is obvious. Other times, your kids will hide it from you. Getting picked on can cause a lot of shame.
Do you know the nonverbal signs that your child may be getting bullied? There are many. Lack of eye contact is big. So is decreased social interaction. If your child gets unhappy after using an electronic device, pay attention. Cyberbullying is a growing problem. It’s any bullying that takes place on a digital platform. This impacts older kids mostly since they spend more time online. Kids with developmental delays or disabilities will face higher rates of bullying.
Don’t be afraid to get active in this fight against bullying. Ask questions. Role-play how to handle tense situations. Be involved as much as possible. You can’t fix something you don’t know about. But you also can’t fix something you don’t talk about. Sit down with your kids and ask pointed questions about bullying and being bullied. They will open up when they see that you truly care. If you don’t know where to begin, start here with this video from All Pro Dad. We share tips and insights for navigating this subject with kids of all ages. Bullying looks different in kindergarten and high school. Prepare for it all by watching this video from our Child Safety Series.
Huddle up with your kids and ask, “How does it feel when others pick on your or your friends?”