When our child suffers a social injury, it’s easy to conclude that he or she has been bullied. While this may be the case, experts suggest that the term bullying is best reserved for repeated, one-way aggression against someone who cannot defend himself or herself effectively. Bullying is a widespread problem from elementary school all the way through adulthood. With today's social media and apps, cyberbullying is on the minds of many concerned parents. We hope the resources below will offer the tools and information to help our children avoid exhibiting bullying behavior, as well as effectively spot and address it when they or others are targeted. For instructions to view this website in Spanish, click on en Español.
Families Connected Parent Resources
Featured video
Anna Pirkl, M.A., MFT, ATR, LAADC shares tips for fostering empathy and compassion in our youth and shares insight into bullying behavior.
Expert and parent blogs
Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq.
Some Thoughts on Cyberbullying by Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq.
Fighting Bullying From Within by Joan Stein Jenkins, Esq.
Bullying in Middle School: How to Love the Victim and the Bully by Charmaine Mitchel
Improving Mental Health Through Spreading Kindness, Part I by Anna Pirkl M.A., MFT
LGBTQ+: My Perspective as a Mother and Therapist by Linda Reeves, MA, LMFT
The teen perspective
Tip sheet
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Related resources for parents and guardians
Resources for teens
Curated Gallery of Resources
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National Resources
StopBullying.gov is an outstanding bullying and cyberbulling prevention resource that provides modern information and guidelines to help parents and educators teach kids how to identify bullying and stand up to it safely.
Common Sense Media knows that once kids go online, their chances of finding cyberbullies, haters, and trolls is, sadly, quite high. Find age-specific guidelines, videos, and tips on how to protect your child from cyberbullies.
The Anti-Defamation League offers outstanding resources including Table Talk: Family Conversations About Current Events, Challenging Biased Language, Bullying and Cyberbullying Prevention Strategies and Resources, and so much more. Please take some time to explore this extensive website.
The Bully Project provides resources and helpful PDFs and tip sheets to support parents in their efforts to prevent bullying including Ten Actions ALL Parents Can Take, Cyberbullying Prevention and Intervention Tips for Families (source: ADL), and a comprehensive listing of Bullying Prevention Resources for parents, teens, schools, and communities.
More guides and resources:
ConnectSafely.org offers a downloadable Parent Guide to Cyberbullying Prevention.
Unicef’s What it Is and How to Stop It defines what bullying is, how and when to intervene, the signs that your child is being bullied, and what to do if they are bullying others.
Nemours Kids Health gives insight into Helping Kids Deal with Bullies
Recommended National Articles
Parents.com
How to Deal with Bullies: A Guide for Parents (Parents.com)
How Parents, Educators, and Kids Can Take Action to Prevent Bullying (American Psychological Association)
Signs Your Child is Being Bullied (Child Mind Institute)
My Child is a Bully: What Should I Do? (Child Mind Institute)
COMIC: How To Intervene When Someone Is Harassed Or Attacked (NPR)
How to Arm Your Child Against Bullies (Child Mind Institute)
Recommended National Videos
"In the last few years, awareness about bullying has increased dramatically. Some adults may still think bullying is just a youthful rite of passage, but it seems worse than in previous generations for many parents, educators and kids". - Anderson Cooper
For More Youth Wellness Resources, Visit:
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Go to South Bay Families Connected’s landing page to view a local events, the Teen Resource Center, to sign-up for the SBFC monthly parent e-newsletter, and more.
For parents and caregivers in the U.S.A.
Visit the Families Connected landing page for non-region-specific, free youth wellness online resources.