Conversation Starters

If your teen is being bullied, offer support and comfort no matter how upset you are.  Kids are often reluctant to tell adults about bullying because they feel embarrassed it's happening to them, or they worry that their parents will be disappointed.  Sometimes teens feel like it's their fault they are being bullied.  Sometimes they're scared that if the bully finds out that they told someone, the bullying will get worse.  Others are worried that no one will believe them or help them do anything about it.

Praise your teen for having the courage to tell you about it. Remind them that they aren’t alone. Emphasize that it's the bully who is behaving badly — not them. Reassure them you will figure out what to do about it together.  Sometimes it's useful to approach the bully's parents through a school official, such as a counselor. In other cases, teachers or counselors are the best ones to contact. In certain cases, if you have serious concerns about your child's safety, you may need to contact legal authorities.