For parents and carers
Signs a parent or carer might notice include if their child:
- doesn't want to go to school or participate in school activities
- changes their method or route to school or is frightened of walking to school
- drops in academic performance
- changes in sleep patterns
- changes in eating patterns
- has frequent tears, anger, mood swings
- takes money from home
- has unexplained bruises, cuts, scratches
- loses or brings home damaged belongings or clothes
- arrives home hungry.
The signs of possible bullying online can be the same as signs of other bullying, but include other behaviours with phones and computers, for example:
- being hesitant about going online
- seeming nervous when an instant message, text message or email appears
- being visibly upset after using the computer or mobile phone, or suddenly avoiding it
- closes the screen, or hides the mobile phone when others enter the room
- spending unusually long hours online in a more tense, pensive tone
- receiving suspicious phone calls, emails or packages.