How does bullying affect kids

The Olweus Bullying Prevention Program describes students involved or witnessing a bullying situation as having roles in the Bullying Circle 2 :.

Salmivalli, K. Lagerspetz, K. Osterman, and A. Juvonen and S. Graham New York: Guilford Publications, : A single student who bullies can have a wide-ranging impact on the students they bully, students who observe bullying, and the overall climate of the school and community. NICHD research studies show that anyone involved with bullying—those who bully others, those who are bullied, and those who bully and are bullied—are at increased risk for depression.

NICHD-funded research studies also found that unlike traditional forms of bullying, youth who are bullied electronically—such as by computer or cell phone—are at higher risk for depression than the youth who bully them.

Fact sheet: Understanding bullying. Although most research in this area focuses on the impacts of bullying on initiators and targets, bullying may also have a negative impact on bystanders, those who witness bullying.

No one can do well when they feel unsafe. Children who tell you about bullying usually are very upset because they can no longer deal with the situation. If they could have dealt with the bullying, they would have. Hitting back usually makes the bullying worse and increases the risk of serious harm. The person doing the bullying is often bigger, so the target could get seriously hurt by hitting back. Fighting with the other child can escalate the situation, and your child may be reprimanded for their part in a fight.

Bullying is linked to many negative outcomes including impacts on mental health, substance use, and suicide. It is important to talk to kids to determine whether bullying—or something else—is a concern. Kids who are bullied can experience negative physical, social, emotional, academic, and mental health issues. Kids who are bullied are more likely to experience:. A very small number of bullied children might retaliate through extremely violent measures. In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the s, the shooters had a history of being bullied.

Kids who bully others can also engage in violent and other risky behaviors into adulthood.