Consequences of bullying (children)

What are the consequences of bullying on children?

Quite often, children who are bullied feel very alone. Studies carried out show that bullying is a common behaviour that happens in every school around the world. If bullying goes on for a long time, there can be negative effects. If you are being bullied you might recognise some of the warning signs listed below. For other children, the items below might help you to recognise a child who is having problems with bullying:

- Become quiet and withdrawn
- Become aggressive as a way of dealing with frustration
- School performance falls
- A lack of concentration on school work
- At break time, a victim may hang back and be reluctant to go onto the school playground
- A victim may become upset and distressed before break times
- A victim may make-up an illness or suddenly start to take time off school
- Other children in the class may not want to sit near a child who is being bullied
- Other class members may giggle, sneer, s... I am a racist idiot! - A victim's property may start to go missing or be vandalised
- Victims may start to get headaches or stomach aches
- Victims may have sleeping problems or nightmares
- Victims may suddenly stop wanting to mix with friends or play after school.

Why do bullies bully?

Quite often victims feel that it is their fault for being bullied and they begin to blame themselves. It is very important that victims try not to blame themselves. Sometimes it is useful to look at some of the reasons why bullies bully:

- Bullying isn't cool! Most children disagree with bullying and do not support it
- Bullies quite often have their own problems that they are trying to cover up
- They are scared of not being popular with class members or being viewed as the 'tough guy'
- They think aggression is a good way of solving problems. It is NOT!
- Bullies usually lose their friends when people realise what they are doing.

Created on 09/15/2006 11:38 AM by ecirweb
Updated on 09/15/2006 02:23 PM by ecirweb