Bullying comes in many forms and can include physical harm like hitting and destroying possessions, verbal name-calling as well as when a child is left out socially. The 21st century has introduced cyberbullying carried out via social media posts and photos, texts, chats, emails and websites.

Victims of bullying may suffer from anxiety, health problems, low self-esteem, depression, school absenteeism and poor grades and even alcohol and drug use.

Take Action if You Suspect Your Child is Being Bullied

If you notice any of the above symptoms in your child or if he tells you that he is being bullied, act quickly to investigate and defuse the situation:

• Talk to your child calmly and in a non-judgmental way about what happened.
• Don't put words in your child's mouth.
• Request an after-school appointment immediately with the teacher. Be prepared with specific bullying examples and their impact. Ask for a report in a few days and follow-up if necessary.
• If there is no improvement after a week or if the situation worsens, escalate your complaint to the school principal.
• Regardless of how the school is handling your complaint, if your child is physically abused or even threatened with harm, report the incident to the police.