Topics · Nicosia
Bullying: no child should face it alone
Bullying hurts, and it hurts even more when a child keeps it secret. With the right support at home and at school, your child can feel safe again.
What bullying is
Bullying is when a child or a group repeatedly and deliberately hurts another child who finds it hard to stand up for themselves. It is not the same as an ordinary falling-out between friends.
It can be physical, such as pushing or hitting. It can be verbal, with name-calling, insults or threats. It can be social, when a child is deliberately left out or lies are spread about them. And it can happen online, through messages, photos or comments on social media. Online bullying does not stop when the child gets home, which is why it can feel even heavier.
Signs you may notice
Many children do not say what is happening, out of shame or fear that things will get worse. Some signs worth watching for:
- Not wanting to go to school, or often feeling unwell in the morning
- Coming home with lost or damaged belongings, or marks they will not explain
- Mood changes after using their phone or computer
- Withdrawing or drifting away from friends
- Changes in sleep or eating
- Falling behind at school or losing interest in activities
If your child tells you
Listen calmly and believe them. Tell them they did the right thing by telling you and that it is not their fault. Try not to say ‘just ignore it’ or encourage them to hit back. Talk together about what to do next and let the school know, so you can work with them to stop the bullying.
If you find out that your own child is bullying others, they need support too, not only punishment. There are often difficulties behind this behaviour that are worth understanding.
How we can help
Bullying can leave anxiety, sadness and low self-esteem behind, even after it has stopped. Psychological support helps a child talk about what happened, rebuild their confidence and find ways to feel safer with other children.
At Safe Space Psychology Center in Latsia, we work with children and teenagers in individual sessions and with parents in family sessions. We also support adults who were bullied in the past or are being bullied at work now. Sessions take place in person or online, privately or through GeSY, in Greek, English or Romanian.
Your first session
You are welcome to come on your own first, as parents, to tell us what you have noticed. When your child comes, the psychologist will talk with them in a calm, simple way that suits their age, and help them see that this is a safe place.
When to get help straight away
If your child has been hurt, is facing serious threats, or talks about wanting to harm themselves, do not wait. Call 112 or go to the A&E department of your nearest hospital.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell bullying from teasing?
Teasing between friends goes both ways and does not hurt. Bullying is repeated and deliberate, and the child on the receiving end finds it hard to make it stop.
Should I take my child's phone away if they are bullied online?
Usually this does not help, because your child may feel punished and stop telling you things. It is better to talk with them, keep evidence, and look together at how to block and report the people involved.
Can my child come without the school knowing?
Yes. Sessions are confidential. We can, however, talk with you about whether and how working with the school might help.
Other topics we work with
Sources and further reading
- UNICEF: How to talk to your children about bullying
- American Psychological Association: Bullying
- World Health Organization: Mental health of adolescents
This page is for information only and does not replace an assessment by a psychologist or doctor.