What to do if your child is being bullied

If you suspect that your child is being bullied, take the situation seriously:

• Encourage your child to share his or her concerns. Remain calm, listen in a loving manner and support your child's feelings. Express understanding and concern. Remind your child that he or she isn't to blame for being bullied.
• Learn about the situation. Ask your child to describe how and when the bullying occurs and who is involved. Find out what your child has done to try to stop the bullying, as well as what has or hasn't worked. Ask what can be done to help him or her feel safe.
• Teach your child how to respond. Don't promote retaliation or fighting back against a bully. Instead, your child might try telling the bully to leave him or her alone, walking away to avoid the bully, ignoring the bully, or asking a teacher, coach or other adult for help. Suggest sticking with friends wherever the bullying seems to happen. Likewise, tell your child not to respond to cyberbullying, and to block the bully on the phone and social media.

• Talk to your child about technology. Make sure you know how your child is using the internet, social media platforms, or his or her phone to interact with others. Create a technology contract that lists your family's rules for safe and respectful use of electronic devices. This contract should include the agreement that — while you won't invade your child's privacy — you reserve the right to look at the content of your child's devices if you have safety concerns, and you will do so in your child's presence. List your child's account usernames and passwords on the contract. Sign the contract and post it in a highly visible place in your home.

  If your child is being cyberbullied, don't automatically take away devices or computer access. Children might be reluctant to report bullying for fear of having their cellphone or internet privileges taken away. Assure your child that you will not remove electronic privileges if he or she shares a problem or concern with you.

• Boost your child's self-confidence. Encourage your child to build friendships and get involved in activities that emphasize his or her strengths and talents.