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There has been a recent series of highly publicized bullying and cyber-bullying incidents around our country, many of which have ended tragically with the loss of life. The victims range in age from pre-school all the way to college level. Bullying in any of its forms is a growing concern, as the statistics continue to escalate.

The common questions many  parents have are: “How do I know if my child is being bullied?” “What can I do make sure my child is not a victim of bullying?” “How can I get involved and help other kids?”

Education about this problem is one of the most important things a parent or family member can do to recognize and address bullying in any form. We hear about the bullying   and intimidation, such as a child dreading going to school because of the treatment he or she will receive from the other students. Sometimes peers pick up on a child’s uniqueness and the picking, badgering and bullying begins and increases over time. Recently, cyber-bullying, that is, using communication technologies, such as text  messages, chat rooms and other online services, has risen dramatically. Sometimes these events turn from bad to worse in an instant before anyone intervenes. In the worst-case scenario, which seems to occur with increasing frequency, a child may take his or her own life to escape what they perceive as an unbearable and hopeless situation.  Such heartbreaking stories are in the news day after day.

However, there are signs, or red flags, in a child’s behavior that you as a parent, caretaker or loved one can  recognize. Warning signs are apparent when a child…

Read more on page 54 in the August Issue of Forsyth Family Magazine