How to spot the signs of bullying

Signs to watch for if you think your child may be being bullied

You may be unsure if your child is involved in a bullying incident. He or she could be acting as a bully, being bullied or upset because they have seen others behaving badly. If you suspect that your child is involved in bullying then look out for these signs:

bruises
broken or missing possessions
becoming withdrawn – not talking, or spending more time alone
changes in eating habits
changes in behaviour – becoming aggressive at home
sleeping badly
complaining of headaches or stomach aches
wetting the bed
worrying about going to school
suddenly doing less well at school

But there could be other reasons for these signs, so try to avoid jumping to conclusions. Ask yourself the following questions:

Is there anything else bothering my child?
Have there been changes at home like a new baby, or divorce or separation?

If there has not been any other changes and you suspect bullying may be the cause of the distress and anxiety, it is important to try and act as early as you can. Please read our article on how to talk to your child about bullying for advice on doing this.

“He’d be upset in the morning saying he didn’t want to go. He’d think of anything to try and get out of going to school he was so unhappy.”

“He was coming home with his clothing torn, his hood missing, sometimes with bruises on him. He was often upset and started having nightmares.”