Parent Information on Bullying

Information About Bullying

What is bullying?

Bullying is when someone repeatedly and on purpose says or does mean or hurtful things to another person who has a hard time defending himself or herself.

Bullying can take many forms such as hitting, verbal harassment, spreading false rumors, not letting someone be part of the group, and sending unkind messages on a cell phone or over the internet.

It is important to know the difference between actions that are rude or mean and bullying.

  • When someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once, it is rude but it is not bullying.
  • When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once, it is mean but it is not bullying.
  • When someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they keep doing it even when you tell them to stop or show them that you’re upset, that is bullying.

What should I do if my child is being bullied?

If your child is being bullied at school, it can be a very difficult experience for your child and your family. Here are some things you can do to support your child if he/she is being bullied:

  • Allow your child to talk about his/her bullying experiences. You may want to write down what is shared.
  • Empathize with your child. Tell him/her that bullying is wrong, that it is not his/her fault, and that you are glad he/she had the courage to tell you about it.
  • If you disagree with how your child handled the bullying situation, don’t criticize him/her. It is often very difficult for children to know how best to respond. Discuss with your child ways to best respond if it happens in the future.
  • Do not encourage physical retaliation.
  • Contact a teacher, school counselor, or principal immediately and share your concerns about the bullying that your child has experienced.
  • Work closely with school personnel to help solve the problem.
  • Encourage your child to make contact with friendly students in his/her class.
  • Teach your child safety strategies such as how to seek help from an adult.