5 Ways To Detect Child Bullying
When they are away from mom and dad, our children could be exposed to bullying. Before we stop to talk about the ways in which parents can determine if our children are bullied, it is imperative that we know that it is not only school-age children who are exposed to these situations.
Unfortunately, as soon as little ones start to socialize with other children or adults, they could be bullied. In the park, in the day-care room, in the community, and even within the same family.
Types of child bullying
To begin with, it is best if we define child bullying. This consists of the systematic violation of the dignity and integrity of a child. And it can be exercised horizontally, when it comes from other children, or vertically, when it comes to people older than the victim.
Of course, we must exercise caution before claiming that our child is being bullied. For example, if in the middle of an afternoon of games you are kicked by a friend who did not want to share a toy, this isolated performance should not be considered bullying. But if the same child persists day after day in his attempt to annoy our little one, with actions that affect him physically and emotionally, then we could be in front of a bullying child.
Harassment can also come at the hands of an adult. And in these cases the picture is usually more complicated because this person does know the implications of harassing a minor, and it is possible that his strategy includes tactics that allow him to go unnoticed in front of others.
How to detect child bullying?
1.- Analyze your child’s behavior
If you notice that he is sad or nervous for no apparent reason, if you hear him say things that reflect low self-esteem, be careful. The best tool to determine bullying is to know how your child feels, to know what their problems and concerns are.
2.-Be alert if you see that the child wants to avoid someone
If you notice that your child does not want to go to classes or that he no longer enjoys going to the park he usually visits ; If he categorically refuses to visit a friend or relative’s home, don’t force him. There may be a reason behind your refusal.
Better try to get closer to him, analyze if his mood changes when he visits these places or when he comes in contact with some people. It does not matter if they are people of the same age or older.
3.- Investigate who the possible harasser is
Once you have identified the person who is negatively affecting your child, you should seek references about their behavior with others. If it is another little one, you can ask other children directly how they are doing with that friend, if they have had problems or if it has made them feel bad.
Other parents are also an important source of information, they can help you rule out or verify the bullying hypothesis. If the bully is an adult, a teacher or the parent of another child, you should make an effort to find out if their behavior is habitual and if they have harmed other little ones.
4.- Face the bully together
Once you are sure that the child is being bullied, it is time for you to confront the abuser. And the best way to do it will be with your child, due to two reasons:
The first is that it is difficult for the harasser to maintain a lie without getting nervous in front of the child, because he will be able to expose it. The second reason is that your child will witness that the best way to solve a case of this nature is by talking and making the respective complaints.
5.- Alert your child about child bullying
Parents, even if we wanted to, cannot be permanently with our offspring. They must have all the knowledge and tools to detect when a person intends to violate them.
Remind them often that when someone wants to harm them, they should be vigilant to walk away and put a stop to the situation. Educate safe children. Teach them from a young age that no one can violate their dignity and that they should trust their mom and dad to report any abuse, no matter if the bully is a close friend or family member.
