Bullying is a common problem among children and teenagers. It can have serious and long-term effects. Bullying has become a serious issue, not just a harmless part of growing up.
What is bullying?
Bullying is aggressive behavior toward another person. It is used to harm the person and is repeated over time. It is when a person or group attacks someone weaker or who cannot defend themselves. Bullying can take many forms, such as
. Physical – hitting, punching, kicking, spitting, or pushing
. Verbal – yelling, teasing, or calling names
. Indirect – spreading rumors or excluding others
. Cyberbullying – spreading hurtful messages by email and on the internet
Bullying is a serious problem in schools across the country. According to recent statistics, 1 in 7 students in grades K-12 are either a bully or have been a victim of bullying. An estimated 160,000 U.S. children miss school every day due to fear of attack or intimidation by other students. More than half of all teenagers say they witness bullying in school on a daily basis.
Youth who are bullied are at an increased risk for depression, anxiety, sleep difficulties, lower academic achievement, and dropping out of school. Students who experience bullying or cyberbullying are nearly 2 times more likely to attempt suicide. Among 15 – 24 year – olds, suicide is one of the leading causes of death.
One of the best ways to spot bullying in your children’s lives is by watching their moods. If they are suddenly anxious, stressed or indicating that they hate school, take notice. Also, pay attention if they say that there’s a lot of drama at school or that they have no friends.
Read more on how to recognize and stop bullying at http://stopbullying.gov. It takes a community to shut down bullying. Our children are our future. Let’s make sure they are ready.