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Not sure how to tackle this bullying

8 replies

GinkPin · 12/07/2019 00:02

DD is 14, has had a tough year, and does tend to get caught up in various friendship dramas. Her friends all use social media a lot, and although we police and limit hers, I tolerate it because I don't want her to be left on the outside of life - and sadly much of life seems to be planned this way.

Recently I've noticed her looking at her phone, at which point, her mood changes - either she becomes quiet/sad or angry - but definitely a negative reaction. She knows that I have access to her social media but i never spy on her or read her messages. However after a lot of persuasion from me, she told me that I could look but I was not allowed to do/say anything.

A girl, from another school (but nearby and with some mutual friends) is threatening to hurt her. She has accused DD of 'flirting' with her boyfriend who DD once messaged about a group meetup and ended her message with a 'x'. It would be laughable and non-event but the threats are very specific - voice messages and texts and talk about coming to her house (she has our address) and beating her up/smashing her face into a curb/'damaging' her - really violent talk. This girl is 14 and the messages have been going on for about a month. DD has responded asking why she is angry/apologising for any misunderstanding and being far more 'humble' than she usually is (so I know she is intimidated) but this girl is having none of it - lots of c**t/slag/watch your back etc... really vile.

She then goes on to mention names of mutual friends (at this girls school) and declares that they are now hate DD and want to see her get hurt. She has sent videos where she verbally threatens DD and these so-called friends are in the background egging her on and laughing.

OF COURSE my first reaction was to call the girl's school or even the police, but DD showed me a couple of private messages from two of the mutual friends warning her against 'snitching' because this girl is apparently fearless and known to 'make good' on her threats. One of the notes also told DD that the girls brother is in a gang, her mother is known to be quite aggressive and her dad is a local drug dealer - in other words, they are not necessarily people who are going to give a flying fuck about a teacher or policeman addressing this - on the contrary that may well inflame the situation.

A quick google and chat to one mother I know from that school, has confirmed some of this, and I now feel completely intimidated, frightened for DD and unsure of how to move forward. DD says to leave it as hopefully she will find someone new to bully over the summer, but how can I ignore it? I can't...

This is so out of our league and I really don't know how to approach it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

OP posts:
BrienneofTarthILoveYou · 12/07/2019 00:12

Oh goodness, that's terrible, your poor DD & poor you.

Could you speak to the girls' mother directly - not in a confrontational way but rather to say there's been some confusion over a boy & you'd like to clear the air?

Otherwise are you able to accompany your DD to & from school to make sure she's safe as there isn't long left now?

Good luck!

MsAdorabelleDearheartVonLipwig · 12/07/2019 00:32

A quick message back to say the girl will be blocked and then block her from every social media. At least then you poor dd might not be subject to so much abuse.

Could you report her anonymously? Say she’s sent threats to a friend and pretend the footage came from someone else?

HarrietSchulenberg · 12/07/2019 01:13

Sod the intimidation, screen shot everything, block the bully on all SM and show the screenshots to both schools. If they are unhelpful, go to the police. You can make it clear that it is YOU, not your DD, who is taking this action and ask schools and/or police to make that clear when dealing with the girl and her family.

Bullies enjoy a reaction and continue to intimidate in order to get one. So give them one they don't like.

snitzelvoncrumb · 12/07/2019 01:20

You need to go to the police with this.

GinkPin · 12/07/2019 09:03

Thanks.

I did wonder about approaching the mother.

I have screenshots already and am very happy to take ownership of reporting, but i am not convinced that this family will care whether it's come from me or DD - it will be seen as snitching and I am just worried that DD will be the one to pay the price. Can't believe I feel threatened but I do. I am so so angry.

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aintnothinbutagstring · 12/07/2019 11:04

Doing nothing doesn't really stop bullying. They've identified her as an easy target. At least she is not at the same school. If you have her name, speak to school and/or police. Make sure she is safe going to and from school. I wouldnt approach the mother, she would only be on the defensive, might inflame the situation. Agree to block on social media, these bullies probably wouldn't have the guts to say or do half of the stuff face to face. Give them radio silence, other than to get school/police to deal with.

AuntyMarysBigRedPants · 12/07/2019 11:11

I think you should go to the police as hard as it is. The police take this really seriously now.

GinkPin · 12/07/2019 11:12

DD has blocked her.

She just opened a message from one of her 'friends' from this school and bully had used this account to message DD. 'Friend' and DD have known each other since reception and always been good friends. DD is gutted.

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