X
theAsianparent Logo
theAsianparent Logo
Product GuideSign in
  • Awards
    • Parents' Choice Awards 2023
  • Pregnancy
    • Due date calculator
    • I'm pregnant
    • Trying To Conceive
    • Labour
    • After birth
    • Baby loss
  • Parenting
    • Parent's Guide
    • Relationship & Sex
  • Child
    • Newborn
    • Baby
    • Toddler
    • Pre-Schooler
    • Kid
    • Pre-Teen & Teen
  • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diseases-Injuries
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Meal Planner
    • Health
    • Allergies & Conditions
    • Vaccinations
  • Education
    • Pre-School
    • Primary School
    • Secondary School
    • Primary School Directory
  • Lifestyle
    • Money
    • Travel & Leisure
    • Fashion
    • Home
    • Fitness
    • Contests & promotions
  • News
    • International
    • Health
    • Celebrity
    • Singapore
  • TAP Recommends
  • Shopping
  • Press Releases
  • Project Sidekicks
  • Community
  • Advertise With Us
  • Contact Us
  • Become A Contributor
  • VIP

Safeguard Your Child Against Bullying

4 min read

As parents, we are hardwired to protect our children. From the first time we hold our babies in our arms, we dedicate ourselves to providing them with shelter, food, clothing and every possible comfort our wallets will allow.

While shielding children from danger is a primary concern for parents, the reality is that every child is likely to experience bullying in some manner; as a victim, a bystander or a bully themselves. Given that the harmful effects of bullying are well-documented and can persist into adulthood, taking preventive measures and equipping our children with coping strategies is a wise step.

While all children are susceptible to bullying, it is important to realise that bullies pick targets who are unlikely to stand up for themselves. Well-meaning parents can unwittingly add to this problem, when they discourage their children from being assertive as they mistakenly consider it as being aggressive and ‘acting out’.

Safeguard Your Child Against Bullying

In another scenario, over-protective and anxious parents who attempt to shield their children from all uncomfortable situations can end up hindering their problem-solving abilities and confidence instead. As a preventive measure, parents need to value and develop assertiveness in their children.

Encourage assertiveness in children

  • Giving your child the freedom to exercise control and choice over themselves and their surroundings, such as choosing the colour and décor of their bedrooms.
  • Allowing your child some room to negotiate with you on various matters that affect them. For a younger child, this might be choosing the time of day that they have their allotted screen-time, while for an older child it may be requesting a later bedtime during the school holidays.
  • Being a positive role-model for assertiveness yourself, as your children watch and learn from your actions. By tackling difficult confrontational situations with confidence and calm, you teach your child to do the same.

For many parents, bullying can be an unpleasant topic to broach with their child. However, taking steps to address this issue will help to prepare your child in the event that they find themselves facing a bully.

Depending on the age and maturity of the child, parents can discuss common bullying scenarios and ask their child what they would do in those circumstances. The child can then be coached on the appropriate way to address the situation. This can be especially reassuring for children who are shy or anxious by nature, and may not instinctively know how to respond when bullied.

Bullying on social media

With the proliferation of social media, bullying has moved beyond physical intimidation to cyber-bullying (or online bullying) as well. In these instances, bullies take to social media platforms to harass their victims. Parents can help to minimise possible cyber-bullying with these steps:

Safeguard Your Child Against Bullying

  • Keeping your child’s laptop or desktop in a high traffic part of the home, to monitor their online activities without hovering or micro-managing them.
  • Teaching your child about cyber-safety and the consequences of sharing private information online.
  • Coaching your child to observe netiquette when online. By learning to treat others in the same way that they would want to be treated, your child will learn valuable social and emotional skills to maintain positive communication with others in cyberspace. They will also be more alert to potential bullies.

While parents cannot shield their children from every danger that the world presents, they can certainly equip and encourage their young ones to stand up for themselves and be part of a positive anti-bullying culture in their community.

 

Partner Stories
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Facing Parenting Challenges? Help is at Hand. Just Reach Out.
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Great ideas for gifts for Chinese New Year 2023!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Learn Tech and Media Skills, Gain Industry Exposure and Build a Portfolio. Here’s How Your Child Can Benefit from an Infocomm or Media CCA!
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore
Korean Stars Take Center Stage at Disney Content Showcase in Singapore

Copyright © 2016. Focus on the Family Singapore Ltd.

Be equipped with practical tips on how to help your child overcome bullying and discover how to be an effective parent-coach at the Parent-Coach Dialogues. Find out more at www.family.org.sg/PCD.

Got a parenting concern? Read articles or ask away and get instant answers on our app. Download theAsianparent Community on iOS or Android now!

img
Written by

Focus On The Family

  • Home
  • /
  • Parenting
  • /
  • Safeguard Your Child Against Bullying
Share:
  • My 7-year-old Daughter Wants To Kill Herself Due To Vicious School Bullying

    My 7-year-old Daughter Wants To Kill Herself Due To Vicious School Bullying

  • "Reverse Bullying" Is Just As Bad As Bullying Someone Else

    "Reverse Bullying" Is Just As Bad As Bullying Someone Else

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

  • My 7-year-old Daughter Wants To Kill Herself Due To Vicious School Bullying

    My 7-year-old Daughter Wants To Kill Herself Due To Vicious School Bullying

  • "Reverse Bullying" Is Just As Bad As Bullying Someone Else

    "Reverse Bullying" Is Just As Bad As Bullying Someone Else

  • 'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

    'Family is Priceless': Malaysian Man in Singapore Rents 2 Buses So He and 60 Other Strangers Can Join Their Families for CNY

  • I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

    I Try Tracy Lee's Hack for Egg Tarts and It's So Easy That Even Kids Can Make it

Get advice on your pregnancy and growing baby. Sign up for our newsletter
  • Pregnancy
    • Baby
    • Education
    • Events
    • Allergies & Conditions
  • Family Occasions
    • Breastfeeding & Formula
    • Child Safety
    • Health
    • Diseases-Injuries
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Money
    • Feeding & Nutrition
    • Diet & Weightloss
  • Normal Delivery
    • Cesarean Delivery
    • Behaviour
    • Secondary School
    • Formula Feeding
  • Ages & Stages
    • Latching & Concerns
    • Festivals & Holidays
    • Education
    • Pre-teen & Teen
  • More
    • TAP Community
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Become a Contributor


  • Singapore flag Singapore
  • Thailand flag Thailand
  • Indonesia flag Indonesia
  • Philippines flag Philippines
  • Malaysia flag Malaysia
  • Sri-Lanka flag Sri Lanka
  • India flag India
  • Vietnam flag Vietnam
  • Australia flag Australia
  • Japan flag Japan
  • Nigeria flag Nigeria
  • Kenya flag Kenya
© Copyright theAsianparent 2023. All rights reserved
About Us|Team|Privacy Policy|Terms of Use |Sitemap HTML
  • Tools
  • Articles
  • Feed
  • Poll

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience. Learn MoreOk, Got it

theAsianparent heart icon
We’d like to send you notifications for the latest news and updates on baby care and health.