5 Signs Of Bullying Every Parent Should Know
This is a partnered post.
Bullying is almost unavoidable when growing up. Even if you manage to get through school without becoming a victim yourself, you’re almost certain to have a close friend who was terrorized for quite some time. The effects of bullying, unfortunately, aren’t temporary either, with anxiety, depression, and insomnia being just a few of the common long-term effects. Not every child is a victim of bullying, but if you spot any of these five signs, yours, unfortunately, could be.
1. Wanting To Skip School
It’s normal for your children to want to skip school now and then, especially on days containing lessons they don’t really like. However, eventually, most kids come to realize just how important their education is, and, as such, begin to make more of an effort. If your child remains reluctant to go to school and comes up with excuses to skip or skips on their own, then bullying could be the cause. Their body language should be able to tell you if you’re dealing with this bigger issue.
2. Any Type Of Damage
Broken, ruined, or stolen clothes or belongings, especially when paired with bruises, cuts, and scrapes, are all clear signs of playground bullying. If you ask about this damage, and your child is unable or unwilling to offer an explanation, then that is another indication that bullies could be at fault. Your little one may be worried that you’re going to be angry about the damage to their clothes or belongings, so assure them that you’re not before you try to get them to open up.
3. Obsession With Electronic Devices
With more and more children getting phones and other devices at a younger age, bullying is no longer kept within school hours. Instead, it can follow children home, affecting them after school, at the weekends, and over breaks. If your child has suddenly become obsessed with their tech, this could be why. When a situation like this arises, you should look at this app. This allows you to monitor what your child is up to online, allowing you to spot bullying as and when it happens.
4. Change In Friendship Groups
Kids fall out and make new friends all the time, but as long as you know that your little one has some friends, then they’re likely doing okay. The moment you need to begin worrying is when you see that they have no friends at all. If your child complains about eating their lunch alone or comes out of school by themselves, then it could be the fault of a bully. This is because bullies often isolate their victims, cutting them out of friendship groups and turning others against them.
5. Picking On Younger Siblings
It’s hard to see a bully as a victim when they’re making your child’s life miserable. However, this is how most bullies are born. After being picked on for so long, many victims of bullying eventually lash out and start picking on people themselves. You may begin to see signs of this in your own home, with your once happy and loveable son or daughter suddenly being mean to their younger sibling. Rather than punish their behavior, you should ask them to explain it.
Bullying can be incredibly damaging to your child, so make sure that you look out for the red flags listed above.