In this article, I’m going to delve into the mental health impacts of bullying on children. I hope to give you some knowledge behind all of this problem, so you can not only develop your mind, but also develop your heart, making you to always help a child.
But first of all, what is bullying?
Firstly, distinguishing between bullying and fighting is crucial as their outward manifestations can be similar. Fighting typically involves a mutual exchange of power between individuals who possess comparable strength, size, or intellectual capacity.
In contrast, bullying transpires when one party wields more power and aggression over another. The bully, exploits this power imbalance—whether through physical dominance, social popularity, or possession of embarrassing information—to inflict harm or exert control over their target. Victims of bullying often struggle to defend themselves and may experience a sense of increasing powerlessness in the face of their tormentor.
However, this type of agreement is often invisible to parents, teachers or authorities, it occurs out of their sight.
Unfortunately, bullying is common
One out of every five students between the ages of 12 and 18 has experienced bullying at some point
Students who reported being bullied stated it had an impact on how other students treated them
Some children are bullied because they have less money than their peers
Fewer than half of all students who experienced bullying in school report it to authorities
Cyberbullying becomes more present, as even elementary children with phones interact with others, and some of “the others” choose to mock them online, spread false rumors, post embarrassing pictures, make threats all in the digital world. And it has a heartbreaking impact, such as academic growth and development.
The mental health impact of bullying
Being subjected to bullying by peers at school can significantly increase the likelihood of students developing depression. Symptoms commonly associated with depression include disruptions in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, fluctuations in mood etc.
Moreover, bullying can exacerbate feelings of anxiety among students. Constant apprehension stemming from the fear of being bullied can hinder the formation of relationships with peers, friends, and educators.
Furthermore, the impact of bullying extends to academic performance, making it increasingly challenging for students to excel in the classroom. Persistent bullying can impede their ability to focus on academic studies, leading to a decline in academic performance.
Additionally, children who endure bullying may develop a diminished sense of self-worth, viewing themselves as inferior to their peers, believing they are undeserving of experiencing the same level of happiness and success as their counterparts.
But it doesn’t stop here. Loss of self-confidence, increased self-criticism, self-isolation are other impacts that have an enormous weight on children.
So, If you're concerned about bullying that is occurring at school or during extracurricular activities, you should talk to teachers, school counselors, or coaches, who can share anything they may have noticed about a young person’s behaviors or interactions with others. It will make a great difference.
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