What is Bullying?
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It can happen in different forms:
- Physical bullying – hitting, pushing, or damaging someone’s belongings.
- Verbal bullying – name-calling, insults, teasing.
- Social bullying – spreading rumors, excluding others from groups or activities.
- Cyberbullying – using social media, texts, or emails to threaten, embarrass, or humiliate.
Why Kids Bully
Children may bully for different reasons:
- They feel insecure or powerless in other areas of their life.
- They’re imitating behavior they’ve seen at home, online, or from peers.
- They want to gain popularity or feel in control.
- They lack empathy and need help understanding how their actions affect others.
The Impact on Kids
Bullying affects everyone—both the victim and the bully.
Children who are bullied may experience:
- Low self-esteem
- Depression or anxiety
- Declining grades
- Withdrawal from friends or activities
- Physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches
Kids who bully are also at risk of long-term consequences, such as trouble maintaining healthy relationships, legal issues, and difficulty holding jobs later in life.
How Parents and Teachers Can Help
1. Teach empathy early. Encourage kids to think about how others feel. Reading books, watching age-appropriate shows, and having open discussions about kindness can help.
2. Keep communication open. Ask about their day in a way that invites sharing: “Who did you play with today?” or “Was there anything that made you feel uncomfortable?”
3. Model respectful behavior. Children learn more from what we do than what we say. Show them how to treat others with kindness and respect.
4. Take action immediately. If you suspect bullying, intervene quickly. Don’t dismiss it as “kids being kids.”
5. Partner with schools. Work with teachers, counselors, and administrators to create a safe and inclusive environment.
Helping Kids Who Are Bullied
- Listen without judgment. Let them share their feelings without interrupting or downplaying their experience.
- Reassure them it’s not their fault. Bullies target others to exert control, not because the victim did something wrong.
- Teach assertiveness skills. Practice confident body language and calm verbal responses.
- Document incidents. Keep records of what happened, when, and where.
- Seek professional help if needed. A counselor can help your child process their emotions and rebuild self-confidence.
Stopping Bullying at the Source
Preventing bullying is about building a culture of respect and kindness. This means:
- Encouraging peer support programs.
- Celebrating differences instead of making them a target.
- Teaching conflict resolution skills.
- Promoting zero-tolerance policies for harassment both in-person and online.
Final Thoughts
Bullying is not a phase that children simply “grow out of.” Without intervention, it can shape the way kids see themselves and the world around them. By listening, supporting, and taking action, we can give children the confidence to stand up for themselves and others—and build a community where every child feels safe, valued, and respected.
Counseling for Growth and Wellness 