What subtle shifts in a teen’s friendships might suggest peer bullying in group chats or social media? 

Parenting Perspective 

Teenagers rarely admit to their parents when they are being mocked or excluded by their peers in online spaces, but certain changes in their real-life friendships can quietly reveal the truth. Because digital bullying often takes place in group chats or on social media, the strain of these interactions can begin to affect a teenager’s offline relationships. Parents who learn to pay attention to these subtle shifts can often detect peer bullying before it has a chance to escalate. 

Withdrawal From Their Usual Friends 

If you notice your teenager suddenly avoiding friends they once enjoyed spending time with, it may be because those same peers are the ones who are targeting or excluding them online. The withdrawal you see in person is often a direct result of the pain they are experiencing digitally. 

Being Left Out of Social Plans 

Pay attention to how your teenager is being included in social plans. If you notice they are only finding out about outings, birthday parties, or casual get-togethers after they have already happened, this can be a painful sign. Online exclusion very often translates into real-world isolation. 

Nervousness Around Phone Notifications 

Observe your teen’s reaction when their phone buzzes with a notification. If a simple message alert consistently makes them tense, anxious, or irritable, it can be a sign that they are dreading what peers might say in their group chats or in the comments on their posts. 

Increased Sensitivity or Irritability 

A teenager who is being bullied online may become more prone to snapping at their siblings or parents over minor issues. This is often not related to family dynamics, but is instead a spill-over from the stress and humiliation of being mistreated online by their peers. 

By linking these changes in their friendships to their digital life, parents can open a gentle and empathetic conversation: ‘I have noticed that you are not spending as much time with your friends as you used to. Has something happened online that has upset you?’ 

Spiritual Insight 

Islam strictly forbids ridicule, mockery, and social exclusion, placing a great emphasis on the importance of honouring one another as believers. Parents can use these principles to remind their children that being bullied is never a reflection of their own worth, but is always a reflection of the wrongdoer’s poor character. 

Allah Almighty states in the noble Quran at Surah Al Hujuraat (49), Verses 11: 

‘ Those of you who are believers, do not let a nation ridicule another nation, as perhaps it may be that they are better than them; and let not the women (ridicule) other women, as perhaps they may be better than them; and do not insult each other; and do not call each other by (offensive) nicknames…’ 

This verse makes it absolutely clear that mockery, insults, and exclusion are acts of injustice in the sight of Allah, not just light-hearted or harmless behaviour. 

It is recorded in Sahih Bukhari, 10, that the holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: 

‘The Muslim is the one from whose tongue and hand the people are safe, and the believer is the one from whom people’s lives and wealth are safe.’ 

This teaching establishes that being a source of safety for others, both from our words and our actions, is a defining trait of a true Muslim. A child experiencing harm should be reassured that Islam is firmly against such behaviour. 

By connecting these shifts in their friendships to core Islamic values, parents can gently reassure their teenager that Allah Almighty honours them, even when their peers may be acting unjustly. Over time, this helps the child to regain their confidence and to trust that kindness, not cruelty, is the true measure of real companionship.