Introduction
Social bullying isn't punches or shouts. It is being made invisible - left out of group chats, abandoned at the canteen, the subject of rumours. It can hurt as much as physical bullying.
Signs
- Your child eats lunch alone every day.
- They are no longer invited to friends' parties or activities.
- They look upset after checking their phone - often a group chat.
- Rumours about them circulate at school.
What you can do
- Rebuild self-confidence - encourage new activities outside the toxic group.
- Help them find healthier circles - clubs, sports, youth NGOs.
- Talk to the class teacher about classroom dynamics.
- Don't force them to 'make up' with the group hurting them.
When to get help
Ongoing social bullying can lead to depression. If your child withdraws, sleeps poorly, or speaks negatively about themselves, get counsellor support promptly.
After you read
If you or someone you care about is going through this, you can file a confidential report. Every report is handled by trained HeroFriends officers under the Anti-Bullying Act 2026.
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