56% of parents say they are most worried about bullying at school, more than issues like internet safety and gaming addiction

New research shows that the top five concerns for parents in the UK, in order of level of concern, are: bullying at school; childhood obesity; gaming addiction; anxiety and depression; and internet safety.

The data, from the UK’s online childcare platform childcare.co.uk, came from 5,350 UK parents and guardians of children aged from three to 12-years-old, who were asked what they are worried about as parents in 2019.

Childcare.co.uk founder Richard Conway said as a parent he is certainly in agreement with those surveyed. “It’s interesting to see that bullying is the biggest issue for parents. We know that bullying can have a devastating impact on a child’s self-confidence. With so many parents highlighting this as their main concern, we hope that schools across the UK take note and ensure that they are doing everything they can to help children feel safe in the classroom.”

Anti-bullying charity Kidscape CEO Lauren Seager-Smith told Happiful, “All parents want their children to enjoy school life and bullying can be a very real concern. It helps to talk to your child about what makes a good friend - both in school and online, how they might handle a bullying situation, and the different people that can help.”

If you suspect your child may be being bullied, it’s hard to know what to do. Oftentimes, it’s difficult to even know when a child is struggling. Looking out for the following behaviours can help:

  • Your child is becoming withdrawn
  • There is a change in behaviour, such as becoming aggressive
  • Your child is having trouble sleeping
  • Complaints of stomach aches or headaches
  • A reluctance to go to school
  • A change in performance at school
  • Your child can be easily upset or more irritable at home
  • Spending much more or much less time online
  • A change in eating habits
  • Stealing money

Worried about your child being bullied, or worried your child is being a bully? Read Counselling Directory’s advice for parents and how to spot the signs of bullying.

Kidscape’s Parent Advice Line 020 7823 5430 is open Monday - Thursday, 9am - 1pm for advice and support on dealing with bullying.

If you are worried about your mental health, you may benefit from speaking to a professional. Enter your location in the box below to find a counsellor near you.

Photo by Olivia Bauso on Unsplash