Children’s health: Bullying comes in many forms ― what parents need to know
With school back in session, now is a key time to address bullying and understand what to look out for as a parent or caregiver. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 34% of teenagers experienced bullying in the last 12 months. Teens who experienced bullying were nearly twice as likely to experience symptoms of anxiety or depression.
For many pediatric patients, bullying can be a catalyst for other behavioral and mental health challenges. Almost every child in our program has experienced bullying as a target, a participant or a bystander. Bullying is often one of the first times children and adolescents encounter conflict, and many young people do not yet have the tools to manage it. Bystanders can feel just as helpless witnessing bullying, and this can be distressing and confusing for them.
Parents and caregivers should acknowledge that bullying occurs and empower children to stand up for one another. A helpful starting point is asking your child open questions about bullying to understand how they might react in different situations. Role playing can also be useful, fun and open up communication.
It is also important for adults to model the behavior they want to see in children. In social settings or at sporting events, adults can sometimes display behaviors associated with bullying. Making a positive impact starts with recognizing that parents and caregivers are the first line of influence for children. Even what we condone in movies, television or the news can send the message to our kids that bullying is OK.
In modern culture, cyberbullying has become a common way young people isolate and malign others. Cyberbullying can be especially challenging because, unlike physical bullying, it often does not stop when a child returns home. While managing online interactions can be difficult for parents and schools, caregivers can play an active role by staying involved with their children’s technology habits.
If you are concerned your child may be experiencing bullying, signs to look out for include:
Physical symptoms: Health complaints such as stomachaches or headaches.
Academic and routine changes: Drops in academic performance, truancy, or avoiding favorite hobbies and activities.
Behavioral shifts: A loss of self-confidence, self-criticism, isolation, or significant changes in eating and sleeping habits.
Parents and caregivers should always make themselves available to conversations about bullying, anxiety and depression in order to create a safe, supportive environment for children.
Sharing with children that everyone experiences negative thoughts and feelings, and that what matters most is how we respond, can help reassure them as they navigate these challenges.
• Cecelia Horan, Psy.D, is the Director of Child & Adolescent Services at Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital in Hoffman Estates. Children’s health is a continuing series. This column was provided by Ascension Illinois.