Friendships

What do I do if my child is being bullied?

Written by the Kids by Molliora editorial team, based on the sources below. Last updated: 25 October 2026

Short answer

Bullying is when someone is repeatedly treated badly by others, for example through mean comments, threats, violence or being left out, at school or online (1177). Listen to your child without judging, make clear that it is not their fault, and contact the school quickly. It is the adults' responsibility to stop bullying.

What are the signs of bullying?

Many children find it hard to tell. They may feel ashamed, not want to upset you, or worry that things will get worse if adults get involved. Signs can include:

Being irritable or low.
Sleeping badly or eating less.
Not wanting to go to school, or headaches and stomach aches in the morning.
No longer wanting to see friends or talk about their day.
Unexplained bruises, or belongings that keep going missing.

How do I talk to my child about it?

Let your child tell you in their own words, and listen without judging.
Praise them for telling you, and say clearly that it is not their fault.
Write down what happened, when, where and who was involved.
Do not promise to keep it secret, but agree on the next steps together, and do nothing behind your child's back.
Talk about ways to respond: saying stop, walking away, getting help from an adult, and not hitting back.

How do I work with the school?

Contact the school, club or activity where it happens. Staff are responsible for acting, and the school must take concrete steps to stop the bullying (1177). Ask who will do what and by when, and follow up. In Sweden, you can contact the Child and School Student Representative (BEO) if the school does not act. Violence, threats and harassment can be crimes and can be reported to the police.

What about bullying online?

Help your child block and report the person, and save screenshots as evidence.
Check privacy settings so that only people your child chooses can see their accounts.
Do not take away the phone as a punishment. That makes children less likely to tell you next time (Public Health Agency of Sweden).

Try this week

Ask an open question at dinner this week, such as "Who did you spend break time with today?"
Do something your child enjoys together, and remind them of their good qualities.
Ask the school for its plan against bullying, and save the contact details of your child's teacher.

When to get help

Contact your child's school health service or doctor if your child seems very low, stops going to school, or talks about hurting themselves. In Sweden, children can call or chat with Bris on 116 111, and adults can call the Bris support line for adults on 077-150 50 50. In an emergency, call 112 or your local emergency number.