From Playground Pushes to Apology Videos: Loose Women Unveil the Terrifying Truth of When Your Child is the Bully

It started as just another fiery chat on ITV’s Loose Women, but by the time the segment ended, viewers across the UK were left shaken. What happens when your child isn’t the victim—but the villain?

On the latest episode of the hit daytime show, the conversation took a dramatic and emotional turn as panellists opened up about the dark side of parenting: discovering that your own child might be the bully.

A Pop Star’s Past and a Mother’s Nightmare

Natalie Cassidy, beloved EastEnders actress and long-time friend of the show, kicked things off with a jaw-dropping confession. On her podcast Life With Nat, she revealed that she had been bullied at school—by a now-famous British pop star. Although the person has since apologised, the emotional scars remain.

But that wasn’t the only story that shocked the panel.

A letter published in a national paper from a distraught mother described how her daughter seemed to control all her friends, leaving the parent terrified that her child might be a “mean girl.” This revelation hit a nerve, opening up a raw and honest debate: What if your child is the bully?

“I Hate Bullies With a Passion”

Panellist Kaye Adams didn’t hold back. “I hate bullies with a passion. Of any age, any kind, any description,” she declared with fiery intensity. She shared her own traumatic memories of being bullied in primary school—two years of what she called “hell.”

When her son Jake was once accused of bullying, she marched him straight back to school to face the headmistress. “I needed to know the truth,” Kaye said. “I wouldn’t accept it if he was a bully. Child of mine or not.”

The twist? Jake wasn’t the bully—he had stood up to one. But Kaye’s instinctive reaction was clear: absolute zero tolerance, even if it meant confronting painful truths about her own parenting.

From Denial to Shame: The Parent’s Dilemma

Jane Moore offered a more cautious perspective, stating she wouldn’t instantly believe an accusation without speaking to her child first. But if it were true? “I’d be mortified,” she said. “It would make me question my parenting… I’d want to know what’s going on at home.”

For many parents, the idea that their child could be the cause of someone else’s pain is devastating. It’s not just about discipline—it’s about identity. What does it say about you if your child is cruel?

“I’d want to know—are we giving enough attention? Is something missing?” Jane asked. “Happy people don’t do horrible things.”

Cruelty in the Digital Age

But the modern-day bully isn’t confined to the playground. One panellist recounted how a friend’s child was being tormented in a group chat—complete with disturbing images being sent anonymously. When the parent bravely confronted one of the bullies’ mothers, the response was chilling.

“She said, ‘I didn’t need to see that.’ No remorse. No accountability.”

It’s a growing epidemic. With smartphones in every pocket, bullying can now follow children home, hiding in apps and chats where adults rarely tread.

The Apology Video Controversy

Perhaps the most disturbing story of the episode came when a viewer messaged in about a terrifying incident. Her daughter had a plastic bag placed over her head by another student. The bully’s parent responded—by forcing their child to film an apology video.

At first glance, some praised the move as a lesson in accountability. But others found it deeply unsettling.

“Shaming a child in that way… I don’t think it helps,” one host remarked. “There are better ways to teach empathy.”

Yet another viewer, Tracy, took the concept of ‘lesson learned’ to a whole new level.

She revealed how, upon discovering that her own sister was a bully, she made her life “hell” for two hours—pushing her, throwing away her shoes, and knocking food from her hands. “Now you know how they feel,” she told her sobbing sibling.

The message? Crystal clear. But the ethics? Hotly debated.

Why Do Children Bully?

The panellists agreed on one thing: bullying isn’t always black-and-white. Many children don’t even realise that their behaviour is harmful. What they think is “banter” or teasing could be causing serious emotional harm.

That’s why, they argue, the most important step is the conversation—not blame, not punishment, but genuine understanding.

“Sometimes, the bully is just crying out for help,” one said. “Sometimes, they’re reflecting chaos from home.”

And if left unaddressed, that child might grow into an adult who never learned to empathise—someone who hurts others without even knowing why.

A National Wake-Up Call

The debate struck a nerve, not just with the studio audience but with thousands watching at home. The segment quickly trended on social media, sparking widespread discussion among parents, educators, and child psychologists.

The message was painfully clear: bullying isn’t just a problem at school. It’s a societal issue. And it starts with us—the parents, the teachers, the families.

So the next time your child comes home from school, don’t just ask if they were picked on. Ask how they treated others.

Because as Loose Women just reminded us all—sometimes, the real danger isn’t the bully out there. It’s the one growing up under your own roof.

If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, whether as a victim or a concerned parent, contact the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000. Support is available, and early intervention can change lives.