I think a lot of parents are afraid to make the situation worse, for sure. We worry about meddling, or our child is embarrassed by it, or we just aren’t sure what to do. One of the first ways to start is by considering all of your options and then weighing out the pros and cons. When your child is a little older sometimes it can help to have that conversation with them so that the plan can be something you and your child feel like you are partners in, that way your child feels your support. That’s so important when they are feeling isolated. At the same time, parents sometimes have to take steps to protect the safety of their children, even if the children don’t like it. So that might mean taking away the device so the social media doesn’t haunt them, and it may mean going to a principal, or even to law enforcement if it is getting to the point that the child is at risk. Parents just sometimes need to give themselves permission to step in! In any case, if a child is being bullied, a parent should keep a log of all incidents, all attempts to deal with the behavior, and any responses to that. It also helps to print any texts, photos, or harassing social media. After all, bullying can be illegal, and if a child’s safety is at stake, we need to step in.
It helps for parents to get support from their family, friends, and other allies on this, as it is hard on parents, too. It is hard to see our children hurting. But we don’t have to do it alone. Contact your family or friends, the school, school administration, SAFELine at 814-456-SAFE, or read up at stopbullying.gov, You can also contact local law enforcement. Get connected to feel more support! To learn more about Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC Hamot and the services they provide, visit its website or give them a call at 814-459-9300. If you have an emergency, contact the Crisis Center at 814-456-2014 or 1-800-300-9558. Safe Harbor’s SAFELine is a 24/7/365 hotline for youth that is there to assist with bullying or other concerns. Call 456-SAFE to get help!