Bullying: Is the Spectator Also to Blame?

Bullying is a pervasive problem in American schools, with more than 16 percent of U.S. school children reporting that they had been bullied by other students during the current term, according to a survey funded by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

The study, which appears in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that being bullied is not just an unpleasant rite of passage through childhood. It’s a public health problem that merits attention. People who were bullied as children are more likely to suffer from depression and low self-esteem, well into adulthood, and the bullies themselves are more likely to engage in criminal behavior later in life.

Unlike traditional forms of bullying, youth who are the targets of cyberbullying at school are at greater risk for depression than are the youth who bully them, according to a survey conducted by researchers at the National Institutes of Health. The new finding is in contrast to earlier studies of traditional bullying, which found that the highest depression scores were reported by another category of youth involved in bullying – bully victims. Traditional forms of bullying involve physical violence, verbal taunts, or social exclusion. Cyberbullying, or electronic aggression, involves aggressive behaviors communicated over a computer or a cell phone.

How to Identify the Signs of Bullying

According to the Safe Internet, here are some signs of bullying and how to combat it:

• Victims may appear anxious, upset or have trouble sleeping.
• They may avoid social situations or become withdrawn.
• They may have unexplained injuries or damaged personal items.

If you suspect your child is being bullied, here are some steps to take:

• Talk to your child and encourage them to express their feelings.
• Contact the school and work with teachers and administrators to address the issue.
• Encourage your child to engage in activities they enjoy and provide a safe space for them at home.

It’s important to note that bullying is not just a problem for children. Adults can also be victims of bullying, both online and offline. If you or someone you know is being bullied, don’t hesitate to seek help from a trusted source.

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