Your child may not say a word, but their behaviour often does.
Most kids don’t come home and announce that they’re being bullied. They go quiet, or they suddenly hate Monday mornings. Spotting school bullying signs early can help you step in before things get worse. Here’s what school leaders and educators told The National to watch for, how to talk to your child, and what schools in Dubai are now expected to do.
Why Children Stay Silent
A 2025 survey of 629 UAE students in Grades 6 to 8 found that 73 per cent of those who were bullied hadn’t told anyone. Only 41 per cent knew how to report it at school, and 49 per cent weren’t sure whether their school even had someone in charge of handling it. That’s why school bullying signs usually show up in behaviour first. Kids often worry that a parent will get angry or make things harder at school, so they say nothing.
Warning Signs at Home
Keep an eye out for these changes:
- A child who used to enjoy school now dreads it or flatly refuses to go. Kids First Group’s inclusion director calls this one of the clearest school bullying signs.
- Pulling away from friends, or becoming much quieter than usual.
- Looking upset after using their phone.
- Unexplained injuries, missing belongings, a change in appetite or slipping grades, according to the principal of Gems Metropole School.
None of this proves anything on its own. The principal is clear that these school bullying signs are a reason to start a conversation, not a verdict.
Bullying Isn’t Always Physical
Richard Drew, principal of Jumeira Baccalaureate School, says a normal disagreement is different from bullying. Bullying usually means repeated harmful behaviour and an imbalance of power. It can look like constant name-calling, being left out of groups, being laughed at, or hurtful messages in a group chat. Physical bullying is easier to see, but the other kinds can hurt just as much and are harder to catch. So don’t only look for bruises when you check for school bullying signs.
How to Talk to Your Child
Skip the interrogation. The Gems Metropole principal suggests raising it during something relaxed, like a walk. Stay calm, listen, and reassure your child instead of rushing to fix everything. The Kids First Group director also warns against brushing it off as “boys being boys” or telling a boy to fight back. Boys need room to say they’re scared or sad. Emotional bullying among boys and physical aggression among girls are both real, and both count as school bullying signs worth taking seriously.
Related Stories
What to Do Next
Don’t confront the other child or their family. Go to the school instead and agree on steps to keep your child safe. Save screenshots of online messages and keep notes on what your child tells you, because this helps the school investigate. Ask what happens next, such as regular teacher check-ins, extra supervision during breaks, or a follow-up meeting. Then keep checking in, since one meeting rarely solves it. The same director also suggests taking an interest in your child’s online friendships, the way you would with their school day. A chatbot can’t step in the way a real adult can.
What Dubai Schools Must Do
Dubai’s education regulator, the KHDA, is introducing a safeguarding framework. Private schools will need clear procedures for reporting and handling bullying and other safety concerns. The rules cover learners up to age 21, including those studying online. Schools must appoint safeguarding leads, train staff and keep records of reported incidents until they’re resolved. The KHDA has also issued a guide that explains how concerns are handled and what parents can expect.
The Gems Metropole principal adds that success shouldn’t be judged only by how many complaints a school gets, but by whether pupils feel safe enough to report. For parents, learning the school bullying signs and keeping the conversation open at home is still the best first step.
Related Stories
Also Read : Roller Coasters, Bungee Jumps and Indoor Golf, All on One Island
