This Morning reveals 6 warning signs your child could be being bullied in new ‘Know The Signs’ campaign

This Morning has launched a major nationwide anti-bullying campaign to help parents and carers recognise the warning signs that a child could be experiencing bullying. Know The Signs, supported by The Diana Award, provides practical advice on what to look for, how to start a conversation and what parents can do next if they are worried. 

The campaign comes as research highlighted by This Morning says one in three young people who experience bullying do not tell their parents. Rather than waiting for a child to say something is wrong, parents are being encouraged to look for changes in their behaviour, friendships, routines and online activity. 

Ben, Cat and Alison helped launch the campaign, with Alison joined by anti-bullying campaigner Alex from The Diana Award. A life-sized child’s bedroom was used to show how seemingly ordinary changes could provide clues that something is happening.

The 6 signs of bullying parents should look for

The six possible warning signs identified by the campaign are losing interest in things they normally enjoy, changes in mood or appetite, reluctance to attend school, friendship changes, belongings being damaged or going missing, and changes in phone or online behaviour. Importantly, one of these signs alone does not necessarily mean a child is being bullied, with parents instead encouraged to notice when something feels different from their child’s usual behaviour. 

Alex explained that some children are frightened to speak out because they fear an adult could react badly or immediately take control of the situation. The campaign encourages adults to listen calmly and involve the child in deciding what should happen next wherever possible.

“The really important thing with all of these is to notice the change, start the conversation, stay calm and don’t let them face it alone,” Alex said.

What should parents do if they are worried?

This Morning has created a dedicated Know The Signs parent guide, covering everything from recognising bullying to talking to schools and dealing with online incidents. Parents can access the complete free resource through This Morning’s Know The Signs guide⁠. 

For parents who are unsure how to raise the subject, ITV also has a dedicated guide explaining how to start a difficult conversation with your child⁠. It suggests keeping the conversation calm, avoiding putting pressure on the child and making clear that they can talk when they feel ready. 

If a child confirms that they are being bullied, parents can follow This Morning’s five-step guide for dealing with bullying⁠. It covers listening and reassuring, recording what has happened, asking the child what they want to happen next, contacting the school and continuing to check in afterwards. 

Parents preparing to contact their child’s school can also read ITV’s guide to approaching a school about bullying⁠. It includes questions parents can ask about safety, reporting further incidents, preventing retaliation and when progress should be reviewed. 

Online bullying can be particularly difficult because it can continue after a child has left school. This Morning has separate advice for parents dealing with online bullying⁠, including why immediately taking a child’s phone away may make them less willing to disclose what is happening. 

More bullying help and support for families

Parents can find further practical advice through the NSPCC’s bullying support for families⁠, while the Anti-Bullying Alliance parent and carer tool⁠ provides additional information about recognising and responding to bullying. Both include guidance for families who are unsure what steps to take or how to work with a school. 

Children and young people can also contact Childline free on 0800 1111, or use Childline’s bullying and cyberbullying support⁠. Further anti-bullying information and resources are available through The Diana Award’s Anti-Bullying Programme, while anyone in immediate danger should call 999. 

Know The Signs will continue across This Morning and online throughout September, with further expert advice, real-life stories and school visits planned.

The message for parents is simple: noticing a change and starting a calm conversation could give a child the opportunity they need to ask for help. 

Watch the clip here:

This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1, ITVX, STV and STV Player.