Warning Signs

Warning Signs a Child May Be Experiencing Bullying or is At-Risk:

  1. Changes in School Attendance: A sudden reluctance or refusal to go to school.
  2. Physical Complaints: Frequent complaints of physical ailments like stomach aches, headaches, or loss of appetite, particularly before school or upon returning home.
  3. Avoidance of Social Situations: Avoiding recess, lunch breaks, or other social activities at school.
    Changes in Academic Performance: Noticeable decline in schoolwork or participation, or conversely, an unhealthy over-investment in academics, sometimes seeking excessive approval from teachers.
  4. Identifiable Differences: Having a learning disability or any visible difference that might make them a target.
  5. Difficulty Concentrating: Appearing preoccupied, distracted, and struggling to focus.
  6. Social Difficulties: Exhibiting poor social skills, difficulty asserting themselves, and feeling socially isolated or having few friends.
  7. Body Language: Displaying body language indicative of low self-esteem or appearing physically smaller, weaker, or clumsier compared to peers.
  8. Increased Irritability: Becoming easily agitated or frequently irritating other students (this can sometimes be a sign of being bullied themselves).
  9. Emotional Changes: Appearing unusually passive, withdrawn, or overly sensitive.
  10. Signs of Anxiety: Exhibiting increased worry, nervousness, or fearfulness.
  11. Signs of Depression: Showing sadness, loss of interest in activities, or changes in sleep or eating patterns.
  12. Unexplained Injuries: Presenting with injuries or appearing upset with explanations that don’t seem plausible.
  13. Talk of Escape or Self-Harm: Talking about running away from home or expressing thoughts of suicide or self-harm.

Warning Signs a Child May Be Displaying Bullying Behavior:

  • Desire for Control: Appearing to enjoy feeling powerful, in control, dominant, or manipulative towards classmates.
  • Belief in Fear as Respect: Equating being powerful and respected with others being afraid of them.
  • Secretive Behavior: Skilled at hiding their actions or engaging in sneaky behavior.
  • Lack of Accountability: Blaming others for their actions and refusing to take responsibility.
  • Limited Empathy: Exhibiting little compassion or concern for the feelings of others.
  • Defensiveness: Frequently becoming defensive when their behavior is questioned.
  • Authority Issues: Behaving in a defiant and oppositional manner towards adults.
  • Negative Attention-Seeking: Seeking an unusual amount of attention and achieving it through negative behaviors.
  • Impulsivity and Poor Coping Skills: Displaying impulsive behavior and lacking healthy ways to deal with frustration or anger.

Important Note: These lists are not exhaustive, and the indicators mentioned can also be signs of other mental health concerns or school-related issues. It is crucial to consider these signs in context and seek professional help if you have concerns about a child’s well-being.