As students head back to school, parents are busy shopping for supplies, preparing schedules, and helping their children transition into a new school year. While backpacks and lunchboxes are important, one of the most meaningful conversations families can have before the first day of school is about bullying.

Bullying continues to be a significant public health concern affecting millions of children each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), bullying can have lasting effects on a child’s physical health, emotional well-being, academic performance, and self-esteem. The good news is that when children, parents, educators, and healthcare providers work together, bullying can often be identified early and addressed effectively.

What Does Bullying Look Like?

Bullying is more than an occasional disagreement or conflict between children. Healthcare professionals define bullying as unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance and is repeated or has the potential to be repeated over time.

Bullying may take several forms:

Physical Bullying

• Hitting, kicking, pushing, or tripping
• Damaging or stealing personal belongings
• Blocking someone’s path or intimidating them physically

Verbal Bullying

• Name-calling
• Teasing or mocking
• Threatening or insulting others
• Making inappropriate comments about appearance, race, disability, or other personal characteristics

Social or Relational Bullying

• Intentionally excluding someone from activities
• Spreading rumors or gossip
• Encouraging others not to be friends with someone
• Public embarrassment or humiliation

Cyberbullying

• Sending hurtful text messages or emails
• Posting embarrassing photos or videos online
• Creating fake social media profiles
• Harassing someone through gaming platforms or social media
• Sharing private information without permission

Warning Signs Parents Should Watch For

Not every child will tell an adult they’re being bullied. Sometimes changes in behavior provide the first clues.

Parents should pay attention if their child begins to:

• Avoid school or frequently ask to stay home
• Have unexplained injuries or damaged belongings
• Experience headaches, stomachaches, or other physical complaints without a medical cause
• Suddenly lose interest in activities they once enjoyed
• Have declining grades or difficulty concentrating
• Become withdrawn, anxious, or depressed
• Experience changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Avoid talking about school or friendships

These signs don’t always indicate bullying, but they deserve a compassionate conversation.

Tips for Kids: How to Protect Yourself

Healthcare providers recommend helping children develop practical skills before bullying occurs.

Stay Calm and Confident

Bullies often seek a reaction. Standing tall, making eye contact, and speaking confidently can help discourage continued behavior.

Walk Away When Possible

If it is safe to do so, leaving the situation is often the best response.

Stay With Friends

Children who travel in groups and maintain positive friendships are often less likely to become targets.

Tell a Trusted Adult

Children should know that reporting bullying is not tattling. Speaking to a parent, teacher, school counselor, coach, or another trusted adult is an important step in getting help.

Save Evidence of Cyberbullying

If bullying occurs online, avoid responding. Instead:

• Take screenshots.
• Save messages.
• Block the individual.
• Report the behavior through the platform.
• Tell a trusted adult immediately.

Remember: It’s Not Your Fault

No child deserves to be bullied. Every child deserves to feel safe, respected, and supported.

Tips for Parents

Parents play one of the most important roles in helping children navigate bullying.

Keep Communication Open

Ask open-ended questions such as:

• “What was the best part of your day?”
• “Did anything make you uncomfortable today?”
• “Who did you spend time with at school?”

These conversations help children feel comfortable sharing concerns before they become larger problems.

Listen Without Judgment

If your child shares an experience, resist the urge to immediately solve the problem. Instead:

• Stay calm.
• Thank them for telling you.
• Reassure them they did the right thing.
• Let them know you’ll work together on a plan.

Partner With the School

If bullying is occurring:

• Contact the teacher or school counselor.
• Document incidents with dates and details.
• Follow the school’s anti-bullying policies.
• Continue monitoring the situation.

Most schools have procedures designed to investigate and address bullying promptly.

Monitor Online Activity

Parents don’t need to read every message, but they should:

• Know which apps children use.
• Review privacy settings.
• Discuss appropriate online behavior.
• Encourage children to report concerning interactions immediately.

Build Confidence

Children who feel supported at home often develop stronger resilience.

Encourage activities that build self-confidence, including:

• Sports
• Music
• Art
• Clubs
• Volunteer opportunities
• Community involvement

Positive relationships outside of school can help children maintain perspective during difficult times.

When Professional Help May Be Needed

Bullying can affect mental health. Parents should consider speaking with a pediatrician or licensed mental health professional if a child experiences:

• Persistent sadness
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Sleep disturbances
• Self-harm behaviors
• Thoughts of suicide
• Significant changes in personality or behavior

Early intervention can make a meaningful difference and help children develop healthy coping strategies.

Creating a Culture of Kindness

Preventing bullying is everyone’s responsibility. Schools, healthcare providers, families, and communities all play an important role in teaching empathy, respect, and inclusion.

This back-to-school season, take time to talk with your child about kindness, healthy friendships, and speaking up when something doesn’t feel right. These conversations can empower children to support one another, seek help when needed, and contribute to a safer, more welcoming school environment.

When children know they are heard, believed, and supported, they are better equipped to overcome challenges and thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

 

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Preventing Bullying
• American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Bullying: What Parents Need to Know
• StopBullying.gov: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services