TL;DR
Turn the school run and nap time into listening time
- Thousands of audiobooks, podcasts and originals
- Listen on your phone, tablet or Echo — also offline
- Cancel anytime
A MadeForMums report combines parent accounts with advice from a child-wellbeing specialist to describe changes that can sometimes signal bullying, including withdrawal, anger, school avoidance and attempts to hide a targeted feature. ONS figures cited in the report show that some children who experienced bullying in England and Wales did not tell anyone; the signs are not proof, and the report recommends taking persistent distress seriously.
A MadeForMums report for Bullying Prevention Month describes how changes such as anger, withdrawal, school avoidance or efforts to conceal a feature can be possible signs that a child is being bullied. The feature combines accounts from parents with advice from Alexander Kopelman, founder and president of the Children’s Arts Guild, while stressing that no single behaviour proves bullying.
The report cites Office for National Statistics figures for the year ending March 2023: an estimated 35% of children aged 10 to 15 in England and Wales experienced an in-person bullying behaviour, and 19% experienced an online bullying behaviour. Among children affected, 14.7% of those experiencing in-person bullying and 18.1% of those experiencing online bullying did not tell anyone. These figures describe reported experiences in that period; they do not establish the cause of a particular child’s behaviour.
Parents who contributed to the MadeForMums Club described changes they later connected to bullying. One parent said their son became increasingly angry, spoke about hating himself and eventually refused school, though at first he thought the behaviour directed at him was a game. The family used play therapy and drawing to help him communicate what was happening. The report says he is now home educated and that his family describes him as happier.
Another parent, Neha, said her daughter was bullied about upper-lip hair and began trying to pull it out and wearing her hair down to cover her face. Neha said it took repeated, open communication before her daughter told her what was happening. The report also notes that bullying may involve exclusion, jokes or messages online, not only visible confrontations.
When Behaviour Changes Persist
The accounts show why a parent may not receive a direct disclosure: a child may feel embarrassed, fear making the situation worse, or interpret hurtful behaviour from a friend as a joke. The ONS figures cited in the report add scale to that concern, with some children who experienced bullying saying they told no one.
Recognising a pattern can prompt a supportive conversation and help families seek assistance. But behavioural changes are indicators, not a diagnosis. The NSPCC guidance cited by MadeForMums says changes in behaviour, appearance and emotional wellbeing can be potential signs, while noting they do not necessarily mean bullying is occurring. A child’s broader circumstances need to be understood before conclusions are drawn.
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
What the Report Says to Watch
The feature was published for October’s Bullying Prevention Month and draws on parent experiences alongside guidance from Kopelman. It describes possible changes including becoming unusually withdrawn or angry, spending less time with friends, becoming self-critical, avoiding school, or altering appearance to hide something others have targeted.
Kopelman suggests noticing whether a child appears to be “contracting” — becoming more guarded, quieter or giving up parts of themselves — rather than expanding into new interests, friendships and ways of expressing themselves. The report presents this as a way to reflect on a change, not a definitive test for bullying.
It also explains that bullying may be difficult for children to name when the behaviour comes from someone they consider a friend. A child may tell themselves it is only a game, or turn the hurt inward and conclude that something is wrong with them. The Anti-Bullying Alliance, as cited in the feature, lists withdrawal and disruptive behaviour among possible warning signs.
“We noticed it happening, but my son thought it was just a game.”
— A MadeForMums Club parent, describing their son
Signs Cannot Confirm Bullying
The report does not establish that any one change is caused by bullying. Anger, withdrawal, appearance changes or school avoidance can have different explanations, and the feature says there is no definitive checklist. The ONS figures cover children’s reported experiences in England and Wales for the year ending March 2023; they do not show how many children are currently being bullied or explain individual cases.
The source material provides two parent accounts, not a representative survey of families. It also does not give a universal way to determine whether a child’s experience meets a formal definition of bullying. Parents may need to ask questions and gather more information rather than assume a cause.
Start With Listening and Support
The report advises parents to pay attention when a child’s behaviour changes from their usual pattern, especially when several changes occur together or distress continues. A calm, open conversation may help a child describe what is happening without feeling blamed or pressured. Parents can also contact the child’s school to discuss concerns and ask what support is available.
Kopelman recommends seeking professional support if a child expresses self-hatred or refuses school, regardless of whether bullying is confirmed. The next steps depend on what the child shares and the circumstances around them; the report does not set out a single response for every family.
Key Questions
What changes might suggest a child is being bullied?
The report names possible signs such as withdrawal, unusual anger, self-critical statements, school avoidance, spending less time with friends or trying to hide a feature. These changes can have other causes and do not, on their own, confirm bullying.
How many children in the cited figures experienced bullying?
ONS figures cited by MadeForMums estimate that in the year ending March 2023, 35% of children aged 10 to 15 in England and Wales experienced an in-person bullying behaviour and 19% experienced an online bullying behaviour.
Do children always tell someone when bullying happens?
No. The report says that among children who experienced bullying, 14.7% of those affected in person and 18.1% of those affected online did not tell anyone, according to the cited ONS figures for the year ending March 2023.
What should parents do if their child will not explain what is wrong?
The feature describes open communication as helpful and advises parents to notice persistent or combined changes rather than treat one sign as proof. If a child expresses self-hatred or refuses school, Kopelman recommends seeking professional support.
Source: rss
Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day Picks
long weekend sales
As an affiliate, we earn on qualifying purchases.
