Did you know? Nationwide, school staff and parents are in a heightened state of concern due to the growing number of students involved in bullying. But, only 1 in 10 students who are bullied will inform a parent or trusted adult of the problem.

 

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, so we have prepared a two-part blog series to help parents learn more about bullying. The series will help you recognize signs your child may be experiencing bullying, and give you tools to help your child resolve an issue with bullying, and offer tips for preventing bullying.

 

Is Your Child Being Bullied?

 

We know that bullying and cyber bullying can come in many forms. As an online school, PA Virtual teachers go to great lengths to monitor classroom communication to ensure that all students are treating one another with respect and interacting in a positive manner. However, away from the school computer, there are other communication and social platforms that students use almost every day. Snapchat, Instagram, and even video games have become a common way for kids and teens to bully others. It’s important for parents to be able to identify signs their child is experiencing bullying and know what steps to take to combat the problem.

Here are some signs to look for that may indicate your child is being bullied:

  • Shift in behavior or attitude - Children’s behavior in social settings may change. They  may become withdrawn or quiet, or may begin to “act up” in loud and rambunctious ways. As a result of being bullied, children and teens can even begin to act out and mimic bully-like behaviors.

  • Change in eating or sleeping habits - Loss of appetite can be a sign something is bothering your child. Children that are bullied may also lose sleep or sleep in more. If sleeping in becomes a routine, parents should check in to make sure their child isn’t staying up all night because they are being bullied.

  • Sudden change in school performance - A child’s lack of participation in classroom learning and activities can signal a problem. Frequent complaints of illness can also be a clue. Talk to your child to find out if there is an underlying reason for their reluctance to attend school.

  • Change in technology habits - Increased or decreased use of their phone or computer is a very common warning sign in children that are bullied. If your child or teen is displaying an emotional response to his or her device, it’s important to find out if its bullying-related. 

 

Look for part two of the blog series next week, where we’ll provide information on what to do if your child is being bullied and tips to help prevent the occurrence of bullying.

 

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