Bullying

One of the worries parents have is whether their child is being bullied. Bullying can happen almost anywhere. It can occur in the school, on the playground, on the sports field, at the mall, on the bus, and even online. Bullying can have physical and psychological effects on the victim.

What is bullying?

Bullying is any unwanted aggressive behavior to youth by another youth or group of kids repeated multiple times. Some of this behavior occurs in person or can occur online (cyberbullying). Common types are:

• Physical: Hitting, kicking, tripping, etc.
• Verbal: Name-calling, teasing, etc.
• Relationship/social: Spreading rumors and leaving out of the group
• Damage to victim’s property

Why does bullying happen?

It happens when kids or a group of kids detect a situation where they have a perceived power over another kid. It could be one factor or a group of elements in which the bully feels a sense of superiority.

• Weight
• Height
• Hair color
• Skin color
• Fashion
• Academic vs. Athletic
• Faith
• Social situation
• Financial situation
• Family situation
• Physical challenges

What are the results of bullying?

Bullying can affect a child in numerous ways. Many of these conditions are also signs that parents should be aware of to stop it. Here are a few effects/signs of bullying:

• Physical injuries
• Social distancing
• Emotional distress
• Self-harm
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Skipping school
• Slip in grades
• Dropping out of school
• Substance abuse

How to prevent bullying before it starts

Bullying is preventable. Stay actively involved in your child’s life and keep an open line of communication. You can also get involved in your community to ensure it promotes the right environment to prevent bullying. Here are some ways:

• Provide a healthy family environment
• Provide quality education
• Strengthen your child’s skills
• Connect your child with caring adults and activities
• Create protective community environments
• Intervene to lessen harm and prevent future risk

Download the CDC’s A Comprehensive Technical Package for the Prevention of Youth Violence and Associated Risk Behaviors for more detailed prevention information.

Be a Hero

Maybe your child is not being bullied. That’s great, but be assured they probably have witnessed a fellow student that’s being bullied. It probably made them feel uncomfortable, so they mostly turned away if they were friends with the bully. Now we don’t want to put your child in physical danger, but there are situations where if they speak up, they can put an end to the bullying and help the victim. Have them watch this video.

If you suspect your child is a victim, please consult your pediatrician. They can be on the lookout for any physical or mental signs and help you and your child.