Three Important Facts About Bullying

Bullying is becoming increasingly common amongst school-aged children and teenagers. Both those being bullied and the bullies themselves need help dealing with this challenge. As more kids are getting on the Internet, many of them are experiencing cyber bullying as well. Bullying happens for a variety of reasons but commonly results in a form of aggressive behavior that is intentional and ultimately hurts or threatens to hurt a person physically and/or emotionally. Bullying and cyber bullying are persistent and ongoing problems that result in both short-term and long-term effects for the child being bullied as well as the bully herself.

Bullying is Common?

Bullying is the most common form of violence in society today. What’s more, bullying has the potential to snowball into future violence. Kids who bully have a 25 percent higher chance of committing a crime during their adult years than kids that don’t participate in bullying.

Bullies Aren't Born, They're Made

Most bullying behavior results as a response to environmental factors, either at home, at school, or within social situations. It’s important to note there is no one cause of bullying and contributing factors are different for each individual that participates in bullying activity. Common issues include:

• Family Factors. Bullying can be directly related to how little or how much adult supervision a child receives at home. Additionally, a child who is abused at home or witnesses abusive behavior is more likely to display abusive behavior him/herself.
• School Factors. Far too often, school personnel look the other way when they notice bullying behavior. When this happens, the behavior of both the bully and the victim is reinforced.
• Social Factors. Children may take interest in a social group that promotes or reinforces bullying.

Kids Can Learn How to Avoid Becoming a Bully's Target

Bullies most often select victims that they perceive as being “weak.” Although, there is no way to completely prevent your child from encountering a bully, you can help him learn how to avoid becoming a preferred target.

• Victims may send signals that they are weak and passive. Bullies tend to target children who complain, appear physically/emotionally weak, and who seek attention.
• Victims may have overprotective parents or school personnel that favor them.
• Many victims go out of their way to seek peer acceptance and sometimes may even wish to make friends with the person who is bullying them.

Remember…

There are no specific preventive measures you can take to ensure that your child does not become a bully or a victim. The most important thing you can do as a parent is to inform your child about bullying and the effects it has on those involved. Spreading awareness is vital part of putting a stop to bullies and bullying behavior.