Developing empathy in teenagers is important as it teaches them to reflect, observe and think about their own behaviour. Help them to notice and name feelings and communicate them to others appropriately.

• Talk often about feelings in life. Talk about feelings in real-life situations, or examples on television.
• Ask what they notice. What do they believe people are feeling, based on their non-verbal communication - facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice? Labelling these feelings will help them think about and understand others.
• Be a positive role model for connecting with people. Give full attention to your child, and other people around you often. Turn off the TV or put down devices, and focus your full attention on the person you’re with. Encourage your teenager to do the same when talking to you.
• Help them understand the other person’s point of view. Ask them what they think the subject of their behaviour might be thinking, or how they might see the situation. Ask them what the other person might want to happen and why.
• Encourage them to come up with ways everyone can get what they need. Get them to come up with different and interesting ways they could go about it. Help them choose options that work best for everyone and put them into practice.
• Ask them what they’re trying to achieve when they’re engaging in behaviour that could be bullying. Try and work out what their underlying need is, and reflect this back to them.

For more information go to the link below:

https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/things-to-try-bullying-behaviour/help-your-teenager-develop-empathy