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Ways Parents Can Spot Lies Without Interrogation

Parents often find themselves confused and unsure how to react when their child is telling the truth or lying.

22 April, 2024

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Lying habits can hinder a child’s development. It is a bad habit that every parent wants their child to correct. Sometimes, parents need to figure out in advance whether their child is lying or telling the truth in order to handle the situation promptly. For example, when a child is accused of fighting by their friend, the child insists that they did not, at that time, the parents want to know whether the child is really lying or telling the truth in order to handle it properly…

To see if a child is lying or telling the truth, observe the following:

Unusual eye contact: According to Very Well Family, if a child is lying, they often avoid eye contact. Then they often look down or look away. Also, some children may maintain eye contact when lying, but will usually look at the other person for longer than normal. That’s also a sign that the child is being dishonest.

Parents should observe their children’s eyes to see if they are lying

Repeat the question: When lying, children often repeat their parents’ questions. For example, if you ask your child what they did with their friend after school, they might reply: “What did I do with my friend after school? Oh, I…”. When repeating the question, the child is stalling to think of an answer other than the truth.

Touching the face: Touching parts of the face – whether scratching the ear or touching the nose or head – can be a sign that your child is not being truthful. Similarly, licking or biting the lips is another abnormality.

Inconsistency: Pay attention when your child retells an event, if there are contradictions, then they are lying. Especially if you see your child scratching their head, squinting and looking confused while “telling” a story to an adult.

The voice has a higher pitch than normal: When lying, children are anxious, afraid of being discovered… That’s when people lie and will often use sentences with an unusual pitch.

Suddenly stuttering: When children suddenly stutter when they normally do not, it can also be due to stress, a defensive reaction, or lying. Children suddenly stopping, swallowing saliva, and coughing while talking can also be a sign that they are scared and feel guilty about lying.

Expressing relief when adults change the subject: When children lie, they are also stressed, so if adults change the subject, they will feel relieved. Therefore, you should take the initiative to change the subject to observe the child.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if your child repeats your question back to you, they might be stalling to think of a lie. Touching their face, licking or biting their lips, and inconsistencies in their stories are also signs of potential dishonesty. Pay attention to their voice and body language – a higher pitch than normal and sudden stuttering can indicate lying.

Children who are lying may exhibit signs of stress or defensive behavior. Look out for sudden stops, swallowing saliva, or coughing while talking, as these can indicate that they’re scared and feeling guilty about lying. They may also express relief when the subject is changed.