Bullying in childhood and adolescence is a significant problem, affecting about one in five students in elementary through high school. Bullying is aggressive, hurtful, and sometimes violent behavior that always involves an imbalance of power or strength. Victims of bullying have difficulty defending themselves. In a study of 15,686 students in the United States in grades 6–10, approximately 19% reported bullying others, 17% reported being bullied, and 6% reported being both bullies and victims (Nansel et al., 2001).
Your child may be being bullied if he or she:
Your child may be being bullied if he or she:
- Comes home with damaged clothing, books, or other belongings, or frequently “loses” or “forgets” belongings
- Has unexplained bruises, cuts, or scratches
- Has few friends with whom he or she spends time
- Seems afraid to go to school, ride the school bus, walk to school, or take part in community activities with peers
- Loses interest in school or suddenly does poorly in school
- Seems sad, moody, teary, or depressed when he/she comes home from school
- Complains of a variety of physical ailments (headaches, stomachaches), particularly on school days
- Can’t sleep or complains of bad dreams
- Avoids using the telephone or internet
- Seems anxious and has low self-esteem
- Talks about suicide
Parent Information
Bullies and Victims: A Primer for Parents
Published by the National Association of School Psychologists
Bullies and Victims: A Primer for Parents
Published by the National Association of School Psychologists