A Parent’s Guide to Dealing With Bullying
Available with English captions and subtitles in Spanish.
Gain clear, evidence-based guidance on how parents and professionals can recognize bullying, respond with confidence, and create safer environments for kids.
Why This Training Matters
Bullying doesn’t end when the school day does—and ignoring it can have lifelong consequences.
This recorded session helps parents and caregivers understand the roots of bullying, identify when to step in, and use practical strategies to foster empathy, accountability, and resilience.
Dr. Sperling answers real questions from parents about how to handle bullying at home, at school, and online—with insights grounded in research and compassion.
What You’ll Learn
- How to distinguish bullying from normal conflict and teasing
- What drives bullying behavior—and what reduces it
- How to spot behavioral and emotional signs of bullying in children and teens
- Role-play, validation, and empathy as tools for healing and prevention
- When to involve schools or outside professionals
- How parents can respond if their child is the one doing the bullying
- Supporting children through online harassment and cyberbullying
- Building household habits that prevent bullying between siblings
Who Should Watch
- Mental health professionals (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, nurses, counselors, and therapists)
- Pediatricians and primary-care providers
- K–12 and university educators and school staff
- Public health professionals
- Parents and caregivers
- Community and faith leaders
- Executives, managers, and HR professionals
Event Details
- Date Recorded: May 20, 2025
- Length: 60 minutes
- Presenter: Jacqueline Sperling, PhD
Watch this free, on-demand session and learn how evidence-based strategies and compassionate communication can stop bullying—and start rebuilding safety and trust.
Want a certificate of completion for watching this session?
Topics Covered During This Training
- What sets bullying apart from fighting?
- Is bullying a normal phase of kids being kids?
- How common is bullying? Are those numbers affected by the nature of self-reporting?
- What might drive somebody to bully somebody else?
- What are some of the more common types of bullying?
- How can bullying impact those who experience it?
- What are some signs parents can watch for if they suspect their child is being bullied? Will those signs look different for a younger child relative to a teenager?
- How can parents work with a school system if they suspect bullying is occurring?
- What are some specific strategies that parents might employ to address bullying with a child?
- How might a parent utilize role-playing with a child?
- How can a parent use validation when talking about bullying with their child?
- When should parents of a bullied child seek support from school administrators or others outside the family?
- What can a parent do if it feels like school staff members are too busy to monitor bullies?
- How can parents prevent the lasting negative impacts that persistent bullying can create?
- What is an adult’s role if they witness bullying?
- Can a student report a teacher or adult as a bully?
- How can a parent support their child if that child is the one doing the bullying?
- Are there proactive steps parents of younger children can take to prevent bullying during playtime?
- Realistically, what can schools do when bullying occurs?
- What does the research say about separating a child who is being bullied? Do you have any suggestions for protecting a bullied child without removing them from the classroom?
- Based on your anecdotal experience, do you think teachers and school staff are given the support they need to effectively manage bullying?
- How can parents help their children avoid being cyberbullied?
- What can a parent do to support a child who is being cyberbullied?
- Does exposure to video games or shows that demonstrate unkind interactions lead to more bullying behavior?
- How might parents proactively help their kids understand how bullying can make someone feel?
- When might a parent want to think about bringing in a professional, or setting up some therapy for a child who is being bullied? What about for a child who is bullying?
- What are some of the specific challenges around bullying that come up with teenagers?
- How can parents address bullying among siblings within their own home?
The information discussed is intended to be educational and should not be used as a substitute for guidance provided by your health care provider. Please consult with your treatment team before making any changes to your care plan.
Resources
You may also find this information useful:
- StopBullying.gov
- Magination Press
- American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
- Find Your Fierce – book by Jacqueline Sperling
- Understanding the Mental Health Toll of Bullying on Young People
- Child and Teen Anxiety: An Introduction
- Video: Promoting Positive Mental Health in K-12 Students
- School Refusal in Kids & Teens: Addressing the Why Behind the Struggle
- Video: DBT Skills – The Value of Validation
- Youth mental health support resources
About Dr. Sperling
Jacqueline Sperling, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, faculty member at Harvard Medical School, and the co-founder and co-program director of the McLean Anxiety Mastery Program. She specializes in implementing evidence-based treatments, such as cognitive behavior therapy, and working with youth who present with anxiety disorders and/or obsessive compulsive disorder.
Dr. Sperling is the author of the young adult nonfiction book “Find Your Fierce: How to Put Social Anxiety in Its Place” and a contributor for Harvard Health Publishing.
