Parents, guardians, and educators are entrusted with the physical and emotional safety of the children under their stewardship. As in-person schooling resumes across the country, now is the time to be watchful of school and childhood bullying.
Bullying Is Always More Prevalent Than We Think
Bullying is always present amongst children and it takes many forms—some, such as name-calling or physical violence, are more recognizable than others. However, rumor-spreading, quiet belittling, harassment on social media, or deliberate exclusion from group activities are also forms of bullying that are equally damaging to a child’s self esteem and self worth.
Children undergo a bevy of emotional upheaval during their preteen and early teenage years—the time when they begin to test boundaries and confront their own insecurities. Adolescents are particularly susceptible to depression following chronic bullying incidents. Research shows that bullying is most prevalent in middle school, particularly in sixth grade.
The National Center for Education cites that 17 percent of boys and 24 percent of girls experience some form of school bullying. Although educators and school administrators constantly strive to prevent and stop bullying, the demands of the classroom and the challenges of high student-to-teacher ratio mean that a lot of behavior will inevitably escape notice.
Parents Can Help Identify Symptoms of Bullying
Sadly, children experiencing bullying online (cyber bullying) or at school may not necessarily be forthcoming about it. Sometimes they may be too embarrassed to talk about it. In many instances, they may not see any way to put a stop to the mistreatment.
There are ways for parents and educators to recognize when a child is being bullied. One way is to look out for changes in the child’s mood or temperament. Are they now reluctant to spend time with a particular group of friends? Have they changed anything about their after-school routines without explanation? Are they suddenly angrier or easily embarrassed? Maybe they’re having trouble sleeping, eating, or their grades have taken a sudden turn.
During a casual moment like a car ride or while playing a video or board game, parents can ask open-ended questions in a non-threatening, non-interrogating way. Children and teens find it easier to respond when they don’t feel like they’re being placed under pressure. A question like, “How are your classmates treating each other during lunch?” starts a dialogue, while “Tell me who’s picking on you” will likely cause them to get defensive or withdraw. You want to create a space where they feel comfortable disclosing how they’re feeling and exactly what’s going on.
Therapy Services—The Best Intervention Plan
Whether cyber bullying or in-person bullying, any form of bullying hurts children and should never go unaddressed. Let’s say you’ve uncovered a bullying situation going on in the life of your child or student. As you take the needed steps to intervene, you want to take the correct disciplinary measures with the individual doing the bullying while also providing the necessary counseling and psychological resources to both the bully and the victim.
An experienced child psychologist helps get to the root of a problem. They are trained to lead these conversations and work with this specific age group. Child psychologists can work with the individual in multiple environments. Online discussions are a primary mode of communication with pre-teens and adolescents. Online, teletherapy services support schools and parents by providing trained and qualified professionals who unpack underlying issues and create a space for children to process the emotions they may be undergoing.
Just like adults, adolescents learn to understand the mechanics of their own personality and how certain situations or frustration stir up the feelings that cause them to act in a particular way. Through therapy, as children become more in touch with what they’re experiencing, they develop coping skills, a sense of self-confidence, and they strengthen and develop their own ability to take responsibility for their actions and emotions.
Setting boundaries and initiating meetings between parents offers preliminary solutions, but only professional counseling and therapy will invite the internal shift required for emotional healing and lasting change.
HelloHero’s pediatric coaches and child psychologists provide online therapy sessions to help address childhood bullying. Click here to learn more.