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As part of This Morning's #BeKind campaign we want you to watch this video. You'll hear from two mums whose children took their own lives as a result of the bullying they experienced. Then hit the pledge button. Pledge to watch this video with your children.

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A bully can turn something like going to the bus stop or recess into a nightmare for kids. Bullying can leave deep emotional scars. And in extreme situations, it can involve violent threats, property damage, or someone getting seriously hurt.

If your child is being bullied, you want to act to help stop it, if possible. You can help your child cope with teasing, bullying, or mean gossip, and lessen its lasting impact. And even if bullying isn't an issue right in your house right now, it's important to discuss it so your kids will be prepared if it does happen.

When Is it Bullying?

Most kids get teased by a sibling or a friend at some point. And it's not usually harmful when done in a playful, friendly, and mutual way, and both kids find it funny. But when teasing becomes hurtful, unkind, and constant, it crosses the line into bullying and needs to stop.

Bullying is when peers intentionally use physical, verbal, or psychological ways to torment someone else, using a real or perceived power imbalance between the bully and the victim. Bullying can range from hitting, shoving, name-calling, threats, and mocking to extorting money and possessions. Some kids bully by shunning others and spreading rumors about them. Others use social media or electronic messaging to taunt others or hurt their feelings.

It's important to take bullying seriously and not just brush it off as something that kids have to "tough out." The effects can be serious and affect kids' sense of safety and self-worth. In severe cases, bullying has contributed to tragedies, such as suicides and school shootings.

Why Do Kids Bully?

Kids bully for a mix of reasons. Sometimes they pick on kids because they need a victim - someone who seems emotionally or physically weaker, or just acts or appears different in some way - to feel more important, popular, or in control. Although some bullies are bigger or stronger than their victims, that's not always the case.

Sometimes kids torment others because that's the way they've been treated. They may think their behavior is normal because they come from families or other settings where everyone regularly gets angry and shouts or calls each other names. Some popular TV shows even seem to promote meanness - people are "voted off," shunned, or ridiculed for their appearance or lack of talent.

What Are the Signs of Bullying?

Unless your child tells you about bullying - or has visible bruises or injuries - it can be hard to know if it's happening.

But there are some warning signs. Parents might notice kids:

acting differently or seeming anxious

not eating, not sleeping well, or not doing the things they usually enjoy

seem moodier or more easily upset than usual

avoiding certain situations (like taking the bus to school)

If you suspect bullying but your child is reluctant to open up, find ways to bring up the issue. For instance, you might see a situation on a TV show and ask, "What do you think of this?" or "What do you think that person should have done?" This might lead to questions like: "Have you ever seen this happen?" or "Have you ever experienced this?" You might want to talk about any experiences you or another family member had at that age.

Let your kids know that if they're being bullied or harassed - or see it happening to someone else - it's important to talk to someone about it, whether it's you, another adult (a teacher, school counselor, or family friend), or a sibling.

What Can Families Do?

If your child tells you about being bullied, listen calmly and offer comfort and support. Kids are often reluctant to tell adults about bullying because they feel embarrassed and ashamed that it's happening, or worry that their parents will be disappointed, upset, angry, or reactive.

Sometimes kids feel like it's their own fault, that if they looked or acted differently it wouldn't be happening. Sometimes they're scared that if the bully finds out that they told, it will get worse. Others are worried that their parents won't believe them or do anything about it. Or kids worry that their parents will urge them to fight back when they're scared to.

Praise your child for doing the right thing by talking to you about it. Remind your child that they're not alone - a lot of people get bullied at some point. Explain that it's the bully who is behaving badly - not your child. Reassure them that you will figure out what to do about it together.

In surveys, most kids and teens say that bullying happens at school. Let someone at school (the principal, school nurse, or a counselor or teacher) know about the situation. Often they can watch and take steps to prevent further problems.

"Bullying" can describe a wide range of situations, so there's no one-size-fits all approach. What works in one situation may not in another. Many things - such as the age of the kids involved, the severity of the situation, and the specific type of bullying behaviors - will help determine the best course of action.

Take it seriously if you hear that the bullying will get worse if the bully finds out that your child told or if threats of physical harm are involved. Sometimes it's useful to approach the bully's parents. But in most cases, teachers or counselors are the best ones to contact first. If you've tried those methods and still want to speak to the bullying child's parents, it's best to do so where a school official, such as a counselor, can mediate.

Most schools have bullying policies and anti-bullying programs. Also, many states have bullying laws and policies. Find out about the laws in your community. In some cases, if you have serious concerns about your child's safety, you may need to contact legal authorities.

Advice for Kids

Parents can help kids learn how to deal with bullying if it happens. For some parents or caregivers, it may be tempting to tell a kid to fight back. After all, you're angry that your child is suffering and maybe you were told to "stand up for yourself" when you were young. Or you may worry that your child will continue to be bullied, and think that fighting back is the only way to put a bully in their place.

But it's important to advise kids not to respond to bullying by fighting or bullying back. It can quickly escalate into violence, trouble, and someone getting injured. Instead, it's best to walk away from the situation, hang out with others, and tell an adult.

Here are some other ways kids can improve the situation and feel better:

Tell an adult. Teachers, principals, parents, and lunchroom personnel at school can all help stop bullying.

Avoid the bully and use the buddy system. Use a different bathroom if a bully is nearby and don't go to your locker if nobody else is around. Make sure you have someone with you so that you're not alone with the bully. Buddy up with a friend on the bus, in the hallways, or at recess - wherever the bully is. Offer to do the same for a friend.

Hold the anger. It's natural to get upset by the bully, but that's what bullies thrive on. It makes them feel more powerful. Practice not reacting by crying or looking red or upset. It takes a lot of practice, but it's a useful skill for keeping off of a bully's radar. Sometimes kids find it useful to practice "cool down" strategies such as counting to 10, writing down their angry words, taking deep breaths, or walking away. Sometimes the best thing to do is to teach kids to keep their face calm until they are clear of any danger (smiling or laughing may provoke the bully).

Act brave, walk away, and ignore the bully. Firmly and clearly tell the bully to stop, then walk away. Practice ways to ignore the hurtful remarks, like acting uninterested or texting someone on your cellphone. By ignoring the bully, you're showing that you don't care. Eventually, the bully will probably get bored with trying to bother you.

Talk about it. Talk to someone you trust, such as a guidance counselor, teacher, sibling, or friend. They may offer some helpful suggestions. Even if they can't fix the situation, it may help you feel a little less alone.

Building Confidence

Dealing with bullying can hurt a child's confidence. To help rebuild it, encourage your kids to spend time with friends who have a positive influence. Participation in clubs, sports, or other enjoyable activities builds strength and friendships.

Provide a listening ear about tough situations, but encourage your kids to also tell you about the good parts of their day, and listen attentively so that open communication becomes a habit for everyone. Make sure they know you believe in them and that you'll do what you can to address any bullying.

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Unfortunately, bullying is a common part of childhood. But parents can help kids cope with it and lessen its lasting impact.

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Keeping your child safe from bullying online

Parents, you have a role to play. Remember, the police can often trace the perpetrators. You need to check that your child is safe and that they take care. Check their sites and monitor their browsing and mail content periodically. Sit down and talk to your child about his or her concerns.

Criminal Charges may be brought under The Harassment Act and other legislation that is there to protect you and your child. Talk to your family and those who you trust. A problem shared is a problem halved ! If you ever come across anything on the internet that makes you feel uncomfortable, no matter where it is, pleas e report it. Be Cyber-Savvy in all your on-line activities. Teach your children how to be Cyber-Savvy. Being Cyber-Savvy is the new "Don't talk to strangers"

Read this out to your child

Don't give your name, age, address or contact details to strangers over the internet even if they sound really friendly and you have spoken to them lots of times. If you have never met them, don't fall for their charm. A good person would never ask you to tell them personal information about yourself. If some over the internet or phone asks you for information, close the computer down or hang up the phone. Come and talk to me about it.

Don't tell people where you live or which school you go to. NEVER arrange to meet them. If a stranger asks you to meet them, see this as a warning sign and tell me or tell a grown up, a responsible person, about this. Confide in someone you trust. If you call a helpline, the volunteer might ask you some basic questions but that is OK provided you telephoned the helpline and they did not phone you.

Do not give any confidential information to someone who calls you. If you are worried or scared, hang up and come and talk to us. Tell your friends or tell us if you are worried about anything. We can help you. Also, change your log-in details regularly and change your passwords. When did you last change the password on your childs' mobile phone or computer. Who did you tell? The only two people you should share your password details with are your mum or dad.

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Bullying at school | Bullying advice for parents and children

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Bullying at school - Information and advice for parents dealing with bullying at school with practical solutions designed to help stop bullying

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Types of bullying from online bullying to racial, religious and homophobic bullying, plus tips on how to bounce back if you've been bullied.

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Bullying at school and the law - what your school and the police must do about bullying and how you should report it

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If your child is being bullied, you can talk to their school. It doesn't matter whether the bullying is happening on the premises, outside or on the internet. All schools have a responsibility to protect their pupils from bullying.

If your child is being bullied at a club, talk to the person in charge.
Arrange a meeting with their teacher

Take another person along with you for support if you feel it will help you.

Take a notebook so you can jot down what's said at the meeting.

Bring any evidence you have of the bullying, such as text messages, a record of incidents, or screenshots if the bullying is happening online.

Tell them what effect the bullying is having on your child, and make it clear you expect them to respond.

Ask for a copy of the school or club's anti-bullying policy, behaviour policy and complaints procedure. These may be available to you before the meeting on the school or club's website.

Ask the teacher or organiser what action they're going to take, making sure you all agree on what they propose to do.

Arrange a date to speak to them again so you can see what progress has been made.

The school may inform the Police if the bullying involves ongoing harassment and intimidation, or a hate crime, such as racism or homophobia.

If the bullying continues
Write a letter of complaint to the head teacher and arrange to meet them to discuss your concerns.

Continue to keep a record of incidents with as much information as you can including:

photographs of any physical injuries or damaged property

the date, location and approximate time of each incident

any contact (letters, emails etc) you've had with the school.

If that doesn't resolve it, you will need to follow different advice depending on the type of school your child goes to.

If your child goes to a maintained/state school
Write to the chair of governors at the school address. The school office will be able to provide you with the chair's name if it's not on the school website.

Explain the situation and include copies of letters between you and the school, as well as any evidence of the bullying.

If the bullying still isn't dealt with, you can then make a formal complaint to the Local Education Authority (LEA) in the area where the child goes to school.

If your child goes to a Free school or Academy
If you're unhappy with the head teacher's response, the academy or free school should organise a hearing with a panel made up of at least 3 people not involved in the complaint.

For further advice contact the Department for Education.

If your child goes to an independent/private school
Write to the chair of governors at the school address. The school office will be able to provide you with the chair's name if it's not on the school website.

Explain the situation and include copies of letters between you and the school, as well as any evidence you have of the bullying.

If the bullying continues, a complaint can be made to the Department for Education, which can consider reports of a major failure to ensure a child's safety.

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If your child is being bullied, you can talk to their school. It doesn't matter whether the bullying is happening on the premises, outside or on the internet. All schools have a responsibility to protect their pupils from bullying. If your child is being bullied at a club, talk to the person in charge.

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Cyber bullying advice - bullying on mobiles, Facebook and social networks what to do and how to prevent it