15 Warning Signs of Bullying in Children
Our children can’t always tell us what they’re feeling and going through. Their behavior is often our window into what they’re experiencing internally. As children head back to the classroom, you might wonder if your little one is experiencing bullying - and how to know what to look for.
In this post, you’ll learn 15 warning signs that may indicate your child is being bullied.
But first, what is bullying and how common is it?
Bullying is defined by the Center for Disease Control as “any unwanted aggressive behavior(s) by another youth or group of youths, who are not siblings or current dating partners, that involves an observed or perceived power imbalance, and is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated.”
There are three types of bullying:
Physical bullying occurs when a person’s body is hurt or possessions are damaged. It may look like:
Hitting, kicking, punching or pinching
Spitting
Tripping or pushing
Taking, breaking, damaging and/or defacing someone’s things
Making mean or rude hand gestures
Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. It may look like:
Teasing or taunting
Name-calling
Inappropriate sexual comments
Threatening to cause harm
Relational/social bullying is about damaging someone’s reputation or relationships. It may look like:
Rumor-spreading
Intentionally excluding one child from others
Telling other children not to be friends with someone
Embarrassing someone in public
Bullying can happen in-person, in school and beyond, or online. Online bullying is sometimes referred to as cyberbullying.
Bullying is a pervasive problem. Approximately 20% of school-aged children will experience bullying, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
The effects of bullying on a child’s physical, mental, emotional, educational, and social well-being can be long-lasting. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience anxiety, depression, sadness, loneliness, decreased academic performance, and health complaints.
So how can you tell if your child is being bullied, particularly if they don’t want to talk about it?
Here are 15 warning signs that may indicate your child is being bullied.
We’ll break down the warning signs into four main categories:
Emotional and Behavioral
Physical
School-Specific
Social/Relational
Emotional and Behavioral Warning Signs of Bullying
Changes in mood, such as sadness, anxiety, or irritability
Becomes aggressive, particularly with siblings
Gets upset easily, expressing crying, tantrums, or angry outbursts
Changes in sleeping and eating
This may look like trouble sleeping or nightmares, or skipping meals or binge eating.
Feelings of helplessness or decreased self-esteem
Physical Warning Signs of Bullying
Cuts and bruises
Comes home from school with possessions damaged or missing
Comes home from school unusually hungry
Complains of headaches, stomach aches, and other illnesses particularly on school days
School-Specific Warning Signs of Bullying
Doesn’t want to go to school or loss of interest in schoolwork
Anxious about taking the school bus
Academic performance declines
Doesn’t want to talk about school or what’s bothering them
Peer Relationship or Social Warning Signs of Bullying
Doesn’t have friends or is often alone
Excluded from friend groups or avoids social situations
Regularly teased or harassed by other children
One in five children will experience bullying. Chances are, even if your child isn’t being bullied, they’ve witnessed it. This National Bullying Prevention Month, consider taking a few moments to talk with your child about bullying.
Get Help for Bullying
If you notice self-destructive behaviors, like running away from home, self-harming, or talking or thinking about suicide, it’s time to get help.
Here’s a list of resources based on your situation, based on a resource by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services:
If there’s been a crime or someone is at immediate risk of harm, call 911.
If someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, thinking of suicide, talk to someone. Free and confidential support resources are available 24/7. Talk to someone now:
Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
For Spanish speakers:
Call 1-888-628-9454
For deaf/hard of hearing:
Call 1-800-799-4889
If someone is acting differently from normal, such as always seeming sad or anxious, struggling to complete tasks, or not being able to care for themselves, find a local counselor or other mental health services.
If a child is being bullied in school, contact the:
Teacher
School counselor
School principal
School superintendent
State Department of Education
Learn more about working with the school.
If the school is not adequately addressing harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), disability, or religion, contact:
School superintendent
U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Looking for Additional Support for Bullying?
If you have questions about bullying, you can ask our team of child mental and behavioral health experts - online and for free.
If you’re seeking additional guidance as your family navigates bullying, as a bully or a victim, we’re here to listen and support your family. We’re currently available in select states. You can register for Little Otter’s on-demand mental health services here.