Bullying is repeated, intentional harm — physical, verbal, social or online. Children often hide it out of shame or fear.
Bullying increases the risk of anxiety, depression and self-harm, so early action matters.
Key concepts
- It is never the child's fault
- Listen, believe and act calmly
- Schools have a duty to respond
Symptoms and signs
- Unexplained injuries, damaged belongings
- Reluctance to go to school; sudden drop in marks
- Upset after using the phone; deleting accounts
Causes
- Peer power imbalance
- Differences in appearance, ability, caste, religion or background
- Anonymous online platforms
Risk factors
- Children with disabilities or learning difficulties
- Social isolation
- Unsupervised device use
Evidence-based management
- Ask open questions; keep a record of incidents and screenshots
- Meet the school and request a written action plan
- Use block and report features; report serious online harassment to cyber police
- Counselling for emotional effects
When to seek professional help
- Talk of self-harm or not wanting to live — urgent
- Withdrawal and persistent low mood
- Parents can book a consultation first to discuss concerns before involving the child
Frequently asked questions
Should I contact the bully's parents?
It is usually better to go through the school, which can manage it fairly.
Should I take away my child's phone?
This can feel like punishment; instead, agree safe-use rules and reporting steps together.
Medical references
Guidelines and official sources used for this article.
- Mental health of adolescents — fact sheet. World Health Organization.
- Author
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MBBS, MD Psychiatry
- Medical reviewer
- Dr. Kuldeep Budania, MD Psychiatry
- Last reviewed
This article is for general information and is not a substitute for personal medical advice.
Related articles
Related guides
Need personal advice? Book a confidential consultation.