The Warning Signs of Bullying Every Parent Should Know

With the right support, kids find their strength and realize they’re never alone when facing challenges such as bullying.

Bullying has always been part of social interaction, but the way it appears in children’s lives has changed over time. Many kids today face not only in-person bullying at school, but also online harassment, group exclusion, and social-media pressure that can follow them home at any hour.

Even though bullying may look different than it once did, the impact on a child’s confidence, mental health, and sense of safety remains just as serious. One of the most important things parents can do is recognize the warning signs and create space for honest, supportive conversations.

Below are key indicators of bullying—both traditional and digital—along with insight into why children often stay silent and how parents can help.

Warning Signs Your Child May Be Experiencing Bullying

Some behaviours have signaled bullying for decades, while others are new to the digital age. These are the most common signs to watch for:

Academic & School-Related Signs

• Sudden refusal to attend school

• A noticeable drop in grades or interest in schoolwork

• Taking an unusual or longer route to school

• Avoiding extracurricular activities they once enjoyed

Emotional & Behavioural Changes

• Increased anxiety, irritability, or sadness

• Becoming withdrawn or unusually quiet

• Strong emotional reactions to phone notifications

• Sudden loss of confidence or self-esteem

• Difficulty sleeping or oversleeping

• Frequent stomach aches, headaches, or panic symptoms

Social Changes

• Avoiding friends or social situations

• Being excluded from group chats or online games

• Preferring to spend time alone or only with adults

• No longer talking about friends, classmates, or daily experiences

Physical Indicators

• Torn or missing clothing or belongings

• Unexplained bruises or injuries

• Coming home hungrier than usual

• Guarding their backpack or personal items

Digital or Cyberbullying Red Flags

With bullying now extending into online spaces, these signs may indicate digital harassment or exclusion:

• Suddenly deleting or hiding apps

• Reluctance to hand over their phone

• Creating multiple accounts or changing usernames

• Upset reactions to online comments or messages

• Sudden withdrawal from online games or group chats

• Being removed or blocked unexpectedly

• Mentioning “drama” online but avoiding details

These behaviours can signal impersonation, rumor-spreading, online exclusion, or other forms of cyberbullying.

Why Kids Often Don’t Tell Anyone

Even in supportive homes, many children hesitate to talk about being bullied. Common reasons include:

• Fear of retaliation

• Shame or embarrassment

• Belief that adults won’t understand online problems

• Worry that telling will “make things worse”

• Fear of losing phone or internet access

• Not wanting to disappoint their parents

• Thinking nothing will change

Knowing these reasons can help parents approach the topic gently and with reassurance.

How to Support Your Child

If you suspect bullying, here are practical steps to help your child feel safe and supported:

• Create opportunities for conversation without pressure

• Listen calmly and avoid reacting with anger or alarm

• Reassure them they’re not to blame

• Document incidents, including screenshots for online situations

• Inform the school if safety or learning is affected

• Encourage confidence-building activities

• Model healthy coping skills such as problem-solving and emotional regulation

Whether the bullying is in-person or online, children need to know they have adults who will listen, believe them, and help them take the next steps.

How Martial Arts Helps Children Build Confidence and Reduce Bullying

Many parents look to martial arts not for self-defence alone, but for the confidence and character development it provides. These qualities can help protect children from becoming targets of bullying and prepare them to respond with strength and assertiveness.

At Canada’s Best Karate, students learn:

• Confidence to speak up, stand tall, and trust themselves

• Self-control during emotionally charged situations

• Respect and empathy, which help create positive friendships

• Awareness and assertiveness, two key skills shown to reduce bullying risk

• Resilience, so they don’t internalize negative behaviour from others

Martial arts does not encourage fighting. Instead, it empowers children with emotional strength, clear boundaries, and supportive community—all of which help them navigate challenges with confidence.

If you’d like to help your child build these skills in a fun, structured, and encouraging environment, we offer a free trial class for new families. We’re here to help your child grow, thrive, and feel confident—both on and off the mat.

Scott Bullard began his martial arts education while studying to become a chemical engineer. A career change lead to realizing his dream of opening his own karate school. After 35 years of teaching in Vaughan, Scott has helped thousands of kids and adults enjoy the benefits of training in the martial arts. He is a 6th Degree Black Belt in Karate and Shihan/Master Instructor at Canada's Best Karate.