Child Bullying: What Are The Warning Signs?

By: Florrie Poff

One of the most serious problems your child could ever experience is bullying. In this article you will be able to identify some of the signs that may indicate your child is being bullied.

Bullying includes any behavior that threatens your child or causes distress, hurt or pain whether it is emotionally, physically or a combination of these. There are many reasons why a child may be the subject of bullying. A child may be bullied because they wear spectacles, or because of how they look, religion, race, signs of poverty, family break-up, being shy or even quiet. A child may be picked on when they stand out to be different from other children and so the bully feels this child can be easily targeted.

It is a fact that bullying can destroy the confidence of a child thus leaving them feeling worthless, frightened, withdrawn and alone. The consequences of bullying if not stopped quickly could impact on a child for many years.

Numerous surveys of groups of children have been undertaken in the recent past and many conclude that more than half said that they had been bullied at school. Despite most schools having an anti-bullying policy, it would appear that bullying continues to be a major issue for children of all ages.

Parents therefore need to learn how to spot the tell-tale signs that might indicate that their child is being bullied in school, or any club or society that he or she attends. These signs do not automatically point to bullying, but they can be a useful indicator. Here are some signs to check in your child:

Reduced appetite.

Feeling sick in the morning, or has a headache, or stomach ache, and therefore does not want to go to school.

Interest in school events has diminished.

Loss of appetite.

Torn clothes visible after returning from school.

Your child has unexplained cuts and bruises.

Money for lunch has been taken.

Fewer friends than before, or no friends at all.

Has lost interest in studying and school grades have recently fallen.

Comes home from school with torn clothes.

The development of low self-esteem when previously this was not a problem.

Being anxious.

Walks to school using a differant route than used previously.

Says they do not want to take the bus to school anymore.

Personal belongings have been damaged, broken, or are missing.

In our modern world of technology many children have a cell/mobile phone and Internet access. It is a fact that children often share their email addresses and phone numbers with their friends, but the sad fact is that friendships can easily come to an end and their personal information can, in some cases, be used against them to cause maximum hurt and embarrassment.

So the question is: Does your child have a cell/mobile phone? A bully could be sending your child rude, threatening or horrible text messages. Unpleasant messages may also be left on an answer phone. Do you know if this is happening to your child?

Your child may also be bullied on the Internet through threatening emails. There could be a campaign carried out by several children against your child through emails or unmonitored Internet chat rooms. In view of this kind of bullying parents clearly need to check the use of these modern methods of communication and see how they are affecting their child.

It is possible that if your child is suffering in any way, that the cause is not bullying but something else. Your child might be genuinely unwell. But as you will know your child better than anyone else, you are in the best position to determine what the problem really is and seek medical help when necessary.

You will be able to confirm or otherwise whether or not your child is being bullied only when you carry out a careful and thorough investigation. When you have identified any problem you will then be able to take whatever action is needed to remedy the situation for your child. It is vital for your child that you do not leave anything to chance so be vigilant and take action when necessary.

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Author: Florrie Poff can help you to defeat child bullying fast. For Defeat Bullying Strategies subscribe to her Defeat Bullying Newsletter and get Two Free eBook Chapters
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