ZEYNEP OKUR GUNER, PhD

One of the worst things we can imagine has happened: our child has told us that they are being bullied at school. Now what? Our first instinct may be to go straight to the school, speak to the principal, and demand the toughest consequences for the children involved. However, just because we are naturally driven to protect our children does not always mean that our first instinct is the best course of action. First of all, we need to set aside our own feelings about our child

Tweens and teens do not necessarily come forward and tell their parents that they are being bullied. This may seem puzzling to adults, but there can be several reasons for it. They may feel helpless, yet want to try dealing with the situation on their own in order to regain a sense of control and power. Alternatively, they may worry about being seen as weak or fear retaliation from the bully. This is why it is absolutely paramount that we know what signs to look for, so that

Bullying is a serious and persistent issue affecting children, tweens, and teenagers. Its impact can be profound, influencing young people’s emotional wellbeing, mental health, and development. Experiences of bullying are linked to anxiety, depression, lower academic achievement, and, in the most severe cases, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. What exactly is bullying? How can we tell the difference between bullying and everyday banter or conflict between friends? Teenagers do