How to Help a Teen Deal With Bullies

Finding ways to successfully deal with bullies can be a challenge but it is important to find ways to handle a teen who is bullying others. Teen bullies often demonstrate severe aggression toward other teens, such as physical violence. To avoid an escalating situation, parents or other adults will need to intervene early. Bullies tend to act out because they may have low self esteem, misdirected anger or the need to feel superior to other kids.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Empower Your Teen to Deal With Bullies

1. Call the other teen's parents. Remember that the bully's parents may feel embarrassed or vulnerable. Be prepared to give them concrete examples of when your teen has been bullied by their child.
2. Teach your teen to ignore the bully. When a bully gets no reaction from his victim, he may find the result unfullfilling and move on or stop the harassment altogether.
3. Show your teen that she can ignore teasing and put-downs by responding positively to negative comments.
4. Role play at home if your teen needs direction. You can come up with scenarios and practice appropriate responses to help him prepare for bullying.
5. Remind your teen to stand straight and walk tall. Posturing with self confidence, even when it's manufactured, may help prevent your teen from becoming a victim.
6. Turn to other resources if you feel you aren't well equipped to help your teen deal with a bully. The National Bully Hotline and school administrators can help you with additional prevention ideas (see Resources below).
7. Remind your teen to use good judgment in situations where bullies are being violent. Tell her it is okay to seek the help of a teacher or adult on campus.
8. Tell your teen to mobilize any witnesses. If other teens are standing around watching your teen get bullied, he should take note of their names and ask them to help deal with the bully. The witnesses can offer details to the principal or campus security.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared to give names and descriptions to school authorities or police when discussing situations that involve bullying.
• Write down concrete details that can be used to investigate the problem.
• Know a bully's target. A bullied teen may be targeted because she doesn't fit in with the other social groups. Bullies look for the weakest in the crowd. Don't allow your daughter to blame herself for being bullied.