SafeSport’s Bullying Prevention Checklist
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Parents and guardians want the best for their child, including a positive sport environment where young athletes can learn and thrive. This Bullying Prevention Month we are reminded that healthy environments address challenges, like bullying, in constructive ways, prioritizing prevention education and recognizing everyone’s responsibility in building positive spaces.
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6 Strategies for Preventing Bullying in Sport
In recognition of National Bullying Prevention Month, we’re sharing tips to help parents make sport settings more inclusive, supportive, and safe for their children.
- Talk with your child about bullying in sport. Go over what bullying is and the different roles involved. Explore SafeSport’s Bullying 101 handout for guidance.
- Create a plan. Partner with your child’s coach to come up with strategies to address bullying behavior—and reinforce acceptable behavior—on your child’s team.
- Prioritize open communication. Get in the habit of regularly checking in with your child to learn if anything has happened to make them feel uncomfortable. This could be at the dinner table or during the car ride home from practice.
- Learn warning signs that a child may be on the path to bullying. Understand behaviors that may signal an athlete is struggling and in need of help.
- Explore the 5 Ds of Bystander Intervention. For parents of older youth athletes, take some time to learn together about the 5 Ds and how to safely intervene if they witness negative or harmful behavior.
- Understand how to respond if bullying happens. If you observe bullying in action, it’s important to remain calm. Explore three actions you can take, whether you’re a parent or coach, to appropriately respond to bullying.
Youth sports settings offer meaningful opportunities for growth. Expand your knowledge around abuse prevention in sport. Discover more educational resources and explore additional actions you can take to help protect your child or teen. For a deeper dive into best practices for parenting kids in sport, download SafeSport’s free Parent and Guardian’s Handbook for Safer Sport.