Bullying Support Hub- Parents & Carers

It's tough when you think your child might be going through bullying, but they won't open up. It can leave you feeling worried or powerless.

While it's important to respect their space, it's just as important to make sure they feel safe and supported. You’re not alone in this; there are gentle ways to help your child feel ready to talk, and steps you can take to protect them.

Physical Signs of Bullying

• Unexplained injuries 

• Damaged or missing belongings like clothing, books, jewellery or electronics 

• Frequent headaches, stomach aches, or pretending to feel sick to avoid school 

• Frequent visits to the sick bay at school 

• Skipping meals or coming home hungry because they didn’t eat at school 

• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep: This is the most frequently reported sleep problem, often linked to anxiety and an inability to relax at bedtime. 

• Nightmares or frequent awakenings: Fear and distress can manifest as bad dreams and fragmented sleep. 

• Sleeping too much (hypersomnia): This can be a sign of depression or a coping mechanism to escape waking reality and the stress associated with bullying situations. 

• General fatigue/low energy: Poor quality sleep, whether too little or too much, often results in persistent exhaustion during the day. 

Emotional & Mental Signs of Bullying

• Seeming upset, anxious, or on edge 

• Sudden changes in mood, becoming withdrawn, sad, frustrated, or angry 

• Loss of confidence or expressing feelings of worthlessness 

• Spending more time alone, especially in their room 

• Feeling hopeless or showing signs of self-harm, like talking about running away or suicide 

Social & Behavioural Signs of Bullying

• Declining grades or losing interest in schoolwork, or school refusal  

• Pulling away from things like family, friends, or activities they used to enjoy 

• Sudden changes in friendship groups or avoiding social situations 

• Using gaming as an escape from stress or negative feelings 

• Being secretive about online activity or avoiding conversations about gaming 

Your child needs to feel safe and supported to feel comfortable sharing their experiences with you. Make sure that you create an open and non-judgmental space where your child can talk to you without fear of reprisal or criticism.

What is Cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying is bullying that happens online or through digital devices like phones, tablets, gaming consoles and social media.

It can include:

• hurtful messages

• rumours being spread

• sharing embarrassing images or videos

• being excluded from group chats

• repeated unwanted contact

Unlike face-to-face bullying, cyberbullying can follow a child everywhere, into their bedroom, after school and late at night. It can happen publicly or privately, and sometimes anonymously, which can make it feel overwhelming and hard to escape.

If it's repeated, intentional and causes harm or distress it's cyberbullying. And your child deserves support.

You don't have to have all the answers, neither do they. We're here to help you take the next step together.

Watch their online world 

Cyberbullying can be hard to spot. Look for changes in mood, behaviour, or how they use their devices. Stay involved and talk openly about what’s happening online. 

Parental controls can be a useful part of your online safety approach. However, they should be used as part of a range of methods to keep your child safe, as they cannot be relied upon to prevent all online harm. Both abusers and children themselves can find ways around parental controls, so consider what else you can do. 
 

Other ways to help keep your child safe include: 

• talking with them about what they like to do online, the risks involved, and how to be safer 

• making sure their online activities are supervised, especially for younger children 

• Joining in their online activities when you can 

• Being aware of who they are connecting with online 

• Teaching them to follow the steps for reporting online abuse. 

You don’t have to handle this alone. Free counsellors and support services are here to listen, guide, and help whenever you need it — on the phone, online, or in your community.

Sometimes it helps to have something in your hands. From downloadable guides and checklists to ready-made letters for schools, these tools are designed to make taking action a little easier.