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“What is harassment/ bullying? Harassment/ Bullying occurs when an individual deliberately and repeatedly disturbs, scares, intimidates, or harms someone else, their belongings, reputation, or friendships.”
Harassment/ Bullying may involve:
- Taunting, insulting, threatening, or name-calling
- Purposefully excluding someone or urging others to do so
- Playing hurtful pranks, spreading rumors, or malicious stories
- Physically assaulting by pushing, tripping, or hitting
- Stealing, damaging property, or demanding money.
Harassment/ Bullying can occur face-to-face in schools, sports clubs, extracurricular activities, and workplaces.
Harassment/ Bullying can also take place online. Cyberbullying involves using digital technology to send mean texts, make hurtful comments, or deliberately harass or humiliate someone.
All forms of harassment/ bullying cause harm. Persistent harassment/ bullying can lead to lasting damage.
Harassment/ Bullying is never acceptable. Children and pre-teens: indicators of harassment/ bullying Your child might confide in you about experiencing harassment/ bullying. For example, your child might mention being teased, ridiculed, put down, laughed at, called names, ignored, physically harmed, or threatened by other children.
If your child doesn’t speak up but you’re concerned, here are some signals to watch for.
Physical signs These include:
- Bruises, cuts, and scratches
- Torn clothing
- Missing belongings
- Poor appetite or sleep
- Bedwetting
- Complaints of headaches or stomachaches.
School or preschool difficulties Your child might:
- Be reluctant to attend school or preschool
- Stay near teachers during breaks
- Start sitting alone
- Struggle to ask or answer questions in class
- Encounter problems with schoolwork or homework
- Withdraw from school activities.
Social changes Your child might avoid social activities they once enjoyed, like parties. You might notice your child mentioning:
- Feeling excluded during lunch and recess
- Losing contact with classmates after school
- Being picked last for teams and games.
Emotional and behavioral changes Your child might:
- Display unusual anxiety or nervousness
- Seem upset, unhappy, down, tearful, or angry
- Become withdrawn or secretive
- Ask for money or extra lunch items.
These signs may be more evident at the end of weekends or holidays, when your child must return to school.
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These signs don’t necessarily confirm your child is experiencing harassment/ bullying. They could indicate other issues, such as depression. Nevertheless, take these signs seriously. If you’re concerned, speak with your GP or another health professional.
There’s no definitive way to determine if your child is experiencing harassment/ bullying. Your child’s response to harassment/ bullying will hinge on its severity and your child’s personality.
Teenagers: indicators of harassment Identifying teenage harassment/ bullying can be challenging.
It’s often less physical than younger children’s harassment/ bullying. Additionally, your child might attempt to conceal it from you and others. Your child might feel ashamed, fearful, or not wish to concern you. If you inquire, they might deny it happened. Often, teenagers simply want harassment/ bullying to cease.
Nevertheless, there are signs of teenage harassment to watch for. For instance, a harassed child might experience academic issues or display emotional, behavioral, or physical indicators.
School problems Your child might:
- Refuse to attend school, invent reasons to avoid it, or skip school without informing you
- Feel unhappy or anxious before or after school
- State ‘I detest school’ or express school-related apprehension
- Begin performing poorly in school.
Emotional and behavioral changes Your child might:
- Become increasingly isolated
- Exhibit noticeable behavioral or emotional shifts, such as anxiety
- Struggle to sleep
- Display diminished self-confidence – for example, assert ‘I’m incapable’ or reject attempting new things
- Start using alcohol or other substances
- Request money
- Appear upset during or after online activities, or suddenly delete social media accounts.
Physical signs Your child might:
- Display unexplained physical injuries, such as bruises or torn garments
- Return home with damaged or missing possessions
- Repeatedly complain of headaches, stomachaches, or other physical issues.
Your child may exhibit some of these indicators for reasons other than harassment/ bullying, so it’s wise to discuss the signals you’ve observed together.
Talking with children and teenagers about harassment Determining if your child is being harassed can be challenging. Nonetheless, discussing harassment/ bullying with your child is one of the most effective methods to learn more and support them.
Conversational starters for younger children
- ‘What activities did you engage in during playtime today?’
- ‘Whom did you play with today? Is there anyone with whom you prefer not to play? Why?’
- ‘What types of games did you participate in? Did you enjoy them?’
- ‘Are you looking forward to attending preschool tomorrow?’
- ‘If you could alter one aspect of preschool or the other children, what would it be?’
Conversational starters for older children and pre-teens
- ‘What did you do during lunchtime today?’
- ‘Are there any peers at school whom you dislike? Why?’
- ‘Are you looking forward to attending school tomorrow?’
- ‘If you could change one aspect of school or the other children, what would it be?’
Conversation starters for teenagers
- ‘What did you do during lunchtime today?’
- ‘Which individuals do you find easy to hang out with?’
- ‘Are there any individuals at school you attempt to avoid? Why?’
- ‘What’s happening on your social media platforms? Is anyone making you uncomfortable with their posts?’
When children and teenagers are harassed Children and teenagers must not be left alone to address harassment/ bullying. It can inflict significant short- and long-term harm. It’s vital for you to intervene promptly to halt harassment/ bullying before it erodes your child’s self-assurance.”
Based on the article above, here are several problems or challenges that can arise:
- Physical and Emotional Harm: Harassment and bullying can lead to physical injuries such as bruises, cuts, and scratches, as well as emotional distress such as anxiety, sadness, or anger. These can have both short-term and long-term effects on a child’s well-being.
- Academic and School Issues: Children and teenagers who are victims of bullying may experience difficulties at school, including declining academic performance, reluctance to attend school, or avoidance of school altogether. This can impact their educational outcomes and overall school experience.
- Social Isolation and Changes: Victims of bullying often experience social exclusion, loss of friends, and reluctance to participate in social activities they once enjoyed. This isolation can further exacerbate their emotional distress and sense of loneliness.
- Behavioral Changes: Victims may exhibit changes in behavior such as withdrawal, secrecy, or becoming more aggressive themselves. They may also engage in risky behaviors like substance use as a coping mechanism.
- Impact on Mental Health: Persistent harassment or bullying can lead to mental health issues such as depression or anxiety. These conditions may require professional intervention to address effectively.
- Cyberbullying: With the rise of digital technology, cyberbullying has become a significant issue. It can cause emotional harm through hurtful messages, exclusion from online groups, or spreading rumors and embarrassing content online.
- Parental Concerns and Communication Challenges: Parents may struggle to identify if their child is being bullied, especially if the child does not openly discuss it. Effective communication about sensitive topics like bullying can be challenging but is crucial for providing support.
- Long-term Consequences: The effects of bullying can extend beyond childhood, impacting self-esteem, relationships, and even career prospects in adulthood. Addressing bullying early is important to mitigate these long-term consequences.
- Complexity of Detection: Identifying bullying can be difficult, especially among teenagers who may hide their experiences due to shame or fear. This complicates efforts to intervene and provide appropriate support.
- Need for Intervention: Effective intervention requires cooperation between parents, schools, and possibly healthcare professionals to ensure the safety and well-being of the child or teenager. Prompt action is essential to prevent further harm.
In conclusion, the article underscores the serious and multifaceted nature of harassment and bullying, whether in traditional face-to-face settings or through modern digital platforms. It highlights the detrimental effects on children and teenagers, including physical injuries, emotional distress, academic challenges, and social isolation. The indicators provided serve as crucial signals for parents and caregivers to recognize potential instances of bullying and initiate supportive conversations with their children.
Moreover, the article emphasizes that addressing harassment and bullying demands proactive intervention from parents, educators, and healthcare professionals. This intervention is vital not only to protect victims from immediate harm but also to mitigate potential long-term consequences on their mental health and overall well-being.
Ultimately, fostering open communication and a supportive environment where children feel comfortable discussing their experiences is essential in tackling this pervasive issue. By taking these proactive steps, we can work towards creating safer and more inclusive environments for all children and teenagers, both offline and online.
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