Is your child being bullied? How to know, cope and make it stop

Online bullying is not confined to children. It happens to adults too. Bullying also happens outside of school, it happens at work as well.

RE: Is your child being bullied? How to know, cope and make it stop

The Prince case is another reminder to keep communication open and non-judgmental between teenagers and adults, experts say. Here are a few tips for parents to know whether their child is being bullied and how to handle it.

• Know that a child who is being bullied will most likely first tell a peer, then a parent and then a teacher. "Always know who your child's friends are, and if a child answers you, 'I have no friends,' that is a major red flag," said Robin D'Antona, founder of the International Bullying Prevention Association. The group organizes national conferences and conducts training and workshops on how to prevent school bullying.

• If your child confides to you that he or she is being pushed around, do not minimize, rationalize or explain away the experience, Coloroso cautioned. "Assure a child that they didn't cause the bullying; empower them," said Coloroso, who keeps a list of do's and don'ts about bullying on her site.

• Routinely ask your child whether he likes school. If a child replies that he "hates" school, go deeper for details. Does he or she hate the academics? Can he not see the board? Figure out the source of your child's attitude toward school.

• Privacy ends where your child's safety begins. Watch what your child is doing on the Web, and check his or her cell phone. If a child wants a diary, buy a book and suggest that it be stashed under their mattress, D'Antona said.

• If your family usually addresses concerns at scheduled meetings, consider giving that up for more flexible communication. Allow a child more freedom when they talk to you. Be open to talking at any time, and consider talking while driving. The child may feel less intimidated because he or she doesn't have to look directly at you.

Consider shooting bullies.