- 1 out of 4 students will be bullied
- Those with disabilities are 2-3x more likely to be a target of bullying
- 1 out 5 students admit to being a bully or doing some bullying
- Those who are bullied are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, loneliness, low self-esteem,post-traumatic stress, suicidal thoughts, and are at a higher risk for attempted suicide
What is bullying?
Bullying can be physical, verbal, or psychological.
Involves two key components:
Repeated harmful acts
Imbalance of power
Most common types of bullying:
Hitting
Pushing
Threatening
Intimidating
- Malicious teasing or taunting
Name-calling
- Stealing or damaging others’ property
Spreading rumors
- Rejection or exclusion
What are some warning signs that my child is being bullied or bullying others?
The Bullied
Unexplained injuries
- Lost or destroyed items
Frequent headaches or stomachaches or feeling sick
Sudden change in eating habits or weight
- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares
Drop in grades or loss of interest in school or school avoidance
- Loss of friends or social withdrawal or isolation
Decreased self-esteem or feelings of helplessness
- Self-destructive, self-harming behaviors or talking about suicide
The Bully
Getting into physical or verbal fights
- Having friends who bully
Repeat visits to the principal’s office or frequent detention or suspension
Unexplained extra money or new belongings
- Blaming others or justifying behaviors
Increasing aggression or delinquent behaviors
- Competitive in such a way that they worry about their reputation or popularity
How can we prevent bullying?
Talk with your kids about bullying. Help them understand what bullying is and how to stand up to it. There’s great information available for parents and kids on www.stopbullying.gov