Many young children enjoy attending school, camp, sports, and after-school activities. It gives them a chance to enjoy different experiences and make new friends. However, if your child is coming home from school or other activities acting withdrawn — or if they’re asking not to attend events — you should pay attention. Your kids might be being bullied.
Often, they are adept at spotting children who are different and easy to harass because of those differences. Bullies’ targets are often children with characteristics out of the child’s control, such as race, gender, appearance, sexual orientation, or disability.
How To Aid Your Bullied Child
Unfortunately, many bullies don’t stop bullying; they merely become adult bullies if left uncorrected. Children who were bullies in middle school are 60% more likely to have a criminal conviction by 24. Additionally, bullying in the workplace causes $3 billion in lost productivity and $19 billion in lost employment annually.
Since bullies exist, parents must watch for signs that their children are being bullied and teach them how to avoid being a bully’s victim.
Red Flags of Children Being Bullied
Here are some signs that your child may be experiencing bullying:
- Emotional symptoms: Long bouts of sadness and depression, or angry outbursts
- Changes in behavior: Lack of appetite, withdrawal from friends and family, falling grades, or reluctance to attend school or other activities
- Visual or physical indications: Unexplained bruises or scratches, or coming home hungry despite being given lunch or lunch money
Learn five ways to help your bullied child in the accompanying resource.
This infographic was created by Kids Car Donations car donation centers
