But the problem of bullying has gotten so bad that the American Medical Association is urging adults to intervene.

The bullies of the 21st Century aren’t your typical schoolyard bullies. They include the:

• Verbally abusive bully who name calls and spreads rumors.
• Social bully who gets others to exclude or reject someone.
• Internet bully who intimidates and threatens via e-mail.

If your child is being bullied:

• Talk to your child about it. Understand he might be too embarrassed or scared to admit it.
• Be supportive. Tell him it’s not his fault.
• Ask your child how he’s been dealing with the bully. What has worked? What hasn’t?
• Ask others to help. A teacher or guidance counselor might have a solution you haven’t thought of.
• Encourage your child to stay with a group of friends. Bullies often pick on kids who are alone.

If your child is bullying, try to get him to acknowledge his actions and the consequences.

Ask what he did. Who did he hurt? What was he trying to accomplish? How might he meet that goal in the future without hurting anyone? How will he help the person he hurt?

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