Back to school raises concerns about bullying

The consequences of bullying are sometimes devastating and every parent wants to know what they can do to protect their child.

Ashley Miller, a child and adolescent psychiatrist at B.C. Children’s Hospital, says parents should be alert to any red flags.

“Kids who are being bullied can show signs that are very similar to other situations, other types of anxiety,” Miller said. “With younger kids, it may be stomach aches or saying they don’t want to go to school, or they don’t like a certain friend. Teens may also show signs of anxiety, problems sleeping or they may even just throw their phone in the garbage. ”

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What can parents do?

Miller has the following suggestions for parents:

• Have regular discussions with your child about what they’re doing online
• When your child gets a device, make it part of the agreement that you will be monitoring their content
• Let them know they have the power to block someone who is bothering them.
• When bullying occurs, preserve any evidence so that it can be taken to school administrators, or police if necessary.

The recent death of Carson Crimeni in Langley involved some kids recording him overdosing.

The video, which has circulated on social media, shows Crimeni high on drugs at the Walnut Grove Skateboard Park.

READ MORE: ‘It’s so wrong’: Family, peers call for justice in apparent overdose death of Langley teen

As the Grade 9 student twitches, bugs out his eyes and slurs his speech, a group of teens surrounding him can be heard laughing while music plays in the background. His condition appears to worsen as the video goes on.

Miller says parents and educators need to encourage kids to be “upstanders.”

Nancy Smith, the Youth Diversity Liaison for the Surrey School District, says another critical piece is needed to end the bullying cycle.

“We need to help support the victim of bullying, but we also need to support the person that’s perhaps doing the bullying.”

— With files from Sean Boynton