Is My Child Being Bullied?

Is My Child Being Bullied? Bullying has been around for many years and for some time was accepted as part of being a kid. If you were bullied it was something you just had to deal with.

Today, that is no longer accepted. Many of us understand the trauma the victim goes through. The anxiety, stress, pain and misery that can be inflicted and how the effects can be far reaching for years.

It was only last week when the media showed video footage of a 16 year old boy from Sydney, who picked up his perpetrator after being taunted, and slammed him into the ground. This boy, like many other victims, had been bullied most of his life.

Sadly, many parents are unaware when their child is either the victim or the offender. In the case above, it was only brought to the attention of authorities after the video was uploaded to Youtube, and viewed by thousands worldwide.

New Zealand schools may vary in the methods used in addressing these issues when they arise. Talking about it during educational sessions can go a long way in helping children understand the effects of bullying.

Parents play an important role in maintaining a mental checklist. If a child exhibits any of the following symptoms:

Stop using the computer
Flinch when they receive a text message
Loss of appetite
Stop socialising with friends
Change in mood
…they may be a victim of cyber bullying. Remember, children often won’t tell their parents if they are a victim.

Monitoring software installed on home computers will help identify what children are doing online. There are some great products out there and used in the correct way, can be a valuable tool for picking up any concerns.

Parents can also discuss the bullying topic with their children whether they think they may be a victim or not. YOUR child may even be the bully!