Parentoom is an AI-powered parenting platform that creates a dedicated AI agent for each child. It tracks school, health, homework, meals, activities and more, remembering everything about your child.

How much does Parentoom cost?

Parentoom offers a free tier with 15 questions per month for 1 child. Plus membership at ₹249/month or ₹2,499/year unlocks unlimited questions, WhatsApp access, morning briefings and more.

Is my child data safe with Parentoom?

Yes. Parentoom uses AES-256 encryption and is compliant with India DPDP Act. You can export or delete your data anytime.

Does Parentoom work with Indian schools?

Yes. Parentoom automatically syncs school emails and supports CBSE, ICSE, and State board schools across India.

Signs of Bullying: What to Look For and What to Do

## Types of Bullying Bullying isn't just physical. In fact, the most common and damaging forms are often invisible to adults. - **Physical:** Hitting, pushing, tripping, taking belongings - **Verbal:** Name-calling, insults, threatening - **Social/Relational:** Exclusion, spreading rumors, turning friends against someone - **Cyberbullying:** Humiliation via messages, social media, or group chats All forms share one trait: they're repeated and involve a power imbalance. A single fight between equals isn't bullying — it's conflict. ## Signs Your Child Is Being Bullied Children rarely announce "I'm being bullied." Watch for these signals: **Behavioral changes:** - Reluctance or refusal to go to school - Wanting to change their route to school - Coming home hungry (lunch was taken or they ate alone) - Declining academic performance - Withdrawing from friends or activities they used to enjoy - Becoming aggressive or irritable at home **Physical signs:** - Unexplained bruises, scratches, or torn clothing - Frequent headaches or stomach aches, especially on school mornings - Difficulty sleeping or nightmares - Damaged or "lost" belongings **Emotional signs:** - Seeming sad, anxious, or tearful without clear reason - Drop in self-confidence - Saying things like "nobody likes me" or "I'm stupid" - Avoiding social situations ## What to Do If Your Child Is Bullied ### Step 1: Listen When your child tells you (or you notice signs), the first response matters enormously. Stay calm. Don't react with anger — your child will shut down if they fear your reaction will make things worse. Say: "Thank you for telling me. I'm glad you trust me with this. It's not your fault." Ask open-ended questions: "Can you tell me what happened? Who was involved? How long has this been going on?" ### Step 2: Validate Don't minimize ("just ignore them") or blame ("what did you do first?"). These responses, however well-intentioned, make children feel alone. Acknowledge that what happened was wrong and that their feelings are valid. ### Step 3: Plan Together Involve your child in the response plan. Ask what they want to happen. Some options: - **For verbal bullying:** Practice assertive responses together. Calm, confident responses like "Stop. That's not okay" work better than insults back. - **For social exclusion:** Help them build friendships outside the bullying group — activity classes, neighborhood friends, different social circles. - **For physical bullying or threats:** Involve the school immediately. This isn't optional. ### Step 4: Contact the School Request a meeting with the class teacher and school counselor. Bring specific incidents with dates if possible. Ask about the school's anti-bullying policy and what concrete actions they'll take. Follow up. One meeting isn't enough. Check in weekly with both your child and the school. ### Step 5: Build Their Resilience - Enroll them in a confidence-building activity (martial arts, drama, team sports) - Practice social skills and assertive body language - Remind them regularly of their strengths and the people who care about them - Consider professional counseling if the bullying has been severe or prolonged ## Cyberbullying: The New Frontier Cyberbullying is particularly harmful because there's no escape — it follows your child home. **Signs of cyberbullying:** - Becoming upset or secretive after using devices - Suddenly deleting social media accounts - Avoiding their phone or checking it obsessively **What to do:** - Don't take away their devices as a first response (they'll stop telling you) - Screenshot and save evidence - Report to the platform (most have specific anti-bullying reporting) - Contact the school — most cyberbullying involves classmates - If there are threats, contact the police ## If Your Child Is the Bully This is harder to hear but equally important to address. - Don't deny it. Schools rarely report bullying without evidence. - Understand the why: Is your child struggling with something? Copying behavior they see at home? Seeking power because they feel powerless elsewhere? - Set clear consequences while also addressing root causes - Monitor their behavior and follow up with the school - Consider counseling — bullying behavior in childhood predicts relationship problems later ## Prevention - Talk about bullying before it happens. Use examples from books, shows, or news. - Make kindness a family value, not just a school poster. - Keep communication open — children who talk to their parents about daily life are more likely to report bullying early.