[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/the-effects-of-school-bullying\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/the-effects-of-school-bullying\/","headline":"The Effects of School Bullying","name":"The Effects of School Bullying","description":"Your meta description should be 160 characters or less, include the target keyword(s), and accurately describe your story in a way that entices readers to click. Note: Do not include quotation marks, as these trigger truncation. \r\n\r\nExample: \"Thanks to social media, it's easier than ever to advertise your content. But is it worth it? Discover why three online advertising experts say yes.\"","datePublished":"2021-02-11","dateModified":"2025-05-09","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","name":"Pediatrics","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/pediatrics","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/pediatrics\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/iStock-1177334912.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/iStock-1177334912.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/the-effects-of-school-bullying\/","about":["Family Health","Living and Wellness","Pediatrics"],"wordCount":954,"articleBody":"It’s common for kids to engage in playful teasing with friends or siblings. When both kids are having fun, it’s usually harmless. But, according to KidsHealth.org, when teasing becomes hurtful or mean, is ongoing, or gets physical, it has crossed the line into bullying.\u201cA lot of bullies have experienced bullying before in the past,\u201d says Abigail Schlesinger, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatry specialist at UPMC. So, certainly feeling like you’re being coerced, being hurt by someone…these can cause lifetime traumas. I think many people who describe interactions on the playground, being upset by people, may not have sort of gone to the full impact of bullying and won’t be traumatized for a lifetime by it.\u201d\u00a0Bullying can mean kids at school are being unkind to a child or making fun in a way that is hurtful. It can include ongoing taunting on social media. Sometimes the problem escalates to physical violence. Each case of bullying is different, and the signs aren’t always clear.\u201cThe first thing we want to do is talk to our kids about what’s happening, and make sure they understand what bullying is,\u201d says Dr. Schlesinger. \u201cFrom a young age, we should be talking to our kids about how they feel and how other people around them feel.\u201d\u00a0Unless your child has visible bruises or injuries or tells you about it, you may not be aware of the bullying. If your child is experiencing any of the following, they may be signs of bullying:Trouble eating or sleepingBeing afraid or not wanting to go to schoolLack of interest in activities they enjoyAnxiety, depression, or moodinessStruggling in classes or with schoolworkEffects of School BullyingAccording to StopBullying.gov, the effects of school bullying can follow children into adulthood. Possible effects include:Emotional or mental health issues, such as clinical depression and anxietyChanges in hobbies or enjoyment of certain activitiesPhysical health complaintsChanges in eating and sleeping habitsDecrease in academic performance, including lower GPA, test scores, and school attendanceMost kids who are bullied do not experience suicidal thoughts. But children who commit suicide often were bullied at school. The risk of suicide increases for certain groups.The children who bully others at school can exhibit harmful tendencies, such as:Drug and alcohol abuseViolence and criminal activityDecrease in academic performanceAbuse of family members, partners, or children as an adultPreventing School BullyingYou may not be able to prevent school bullying altogether, but you can prepare your child for bullies and help ensure they do not become one.Talk to Your Child About What Bullying Is and How to Identify ItStopBullying.gov provides resources for talking to your kids about bullying. Start by watching videos or talking about examples of bullying so that they know what to look for.Encourage kids to tell a trusted adult if they see someone being bullied or if they experience school bullying themselves. It may also help to give your child tips for standing up to a bully, like using humor or walking away.\u201cIf someone’s hurt your child, I think you should get involved,\u201d says Dr. Schlesinger. \u201cThat’s not fighting your child’s battles. That’s helping to determine what needs to happen, asking the school, \u2018What do you think I need to do?\u2019 … I don’t dissuade parents from communicating with the school. That’s a great place to learn more about your kid. I don’t think that you should go and argue for the kid. I think we need to teach our kids to stand up for themselves, but getting adults involved is a way to sometimes sort of get through it and figure out what’s the best next action.\u201d\u00a0Most importantly, strive to maintain open communication with your child. Ask about their school day, friends, and feelings.\u201cI do think being open with your kid, talking about emotions,\u201d says Dr. Schlesinger. \u201cA lot of people struggle with talking about emotions.\u201d\u00a0Talk to Your Child About What to Do if They Witness BullyingBystanders who take action when they see bullying can make a big difference. If your child sees someone being bullied, encourage them to:Speak to an adult \u2014 let them know that it’s not tattling to help someone who’s being hurtAsk a bullying victim to play, or start a conversation with them to redirect attention away from the bullyWalk next to a victim of bullying, as many bullies avoid situations with more than one personStay Involved in Your Child’s LifeBeing present and modeling respect and kindnessvcan help your child avoid being bullied and prevent them from becoming a bully. Get to know your child’s bus driver, teachers, and school staff. Read newsletters and handouts from the school. Finally, stay in touch with other kids’ parents. All are good ways to gain insight into your child’s activities and any problems they may be facing.The best way to prevent bullying is to talk with your children often. Let your kids know that it’s wrong to be mean to others. Be an example by showing kindness to others. Ask your child if they’ve ever witnessed bullying and how it made them feel, and reinforce the importance of kindness. Providing support and guidance can go a long way to help them navigate their budding social lives and put a stop to bullying.For more resources on preventing school bullying, contact UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh‘s Community Education Department at 412-692-7105.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on February 11, 2021, and was last reviewed on June 3, 2022."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"02","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/02\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"The Effects of School Bullying","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/02\/the-effects-of-school-bullying\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]