Access to social media can be a great way for teenagers to keep in touch but it can also be used by bullies to intimidate others or incite them to bully another person.

Signs that a child or young person is a victim of bullying or cyber-bullying:

• Belongings constantly getting “lost” or damaged
• Physical injuries such as unexplained bruises
• Being afraid to go to school, feeling ill in the morning, skipping school
• Asking for, or stealing money
• Problems with eating or sleeping
• Bullying others
• Becoming withdrawn, staying on their own in their room for prolonged periods
• Unwilling to let you see what is on their phone or computer screen

If you have concerns that your child might be being bullied, or that they might be bullying others, what should you do?

• Speak to your child – ask them directly if they are being bullied
• Make an appointment to speak to their form tutor, Pastoral Support Manager or Head of Year
• Further help and advice is available at https://www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/bullying-and-cyberbullying/