5 Teen Bullying Facts Every Parent Should Know

Teen bullying has occurred throughout history, yet the influence of the internet has allowed the impact of this behavior to reach epic levels among teens. In fact, you may find that teen bullying looks very different from what you saw as a kid. While physical abuse in the schoolyard still happens, it is also common for bullying to be much more subtle such as public insults on social media. Unfortunately, bullying that goes unaddressed can lead to serious problems for teenagers who are still developing their self-esteem. Most teens are also unequipped to be able to handle bullying on their own. For this reason, you should be aware of these facts about teen bullying so that you can partner with other adults to protect your teen.

1. It Is More Common than Most Parents Think

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, more than one out of five students surveyed in 2016 reported that they had been bullied. Sadly, more than half of these students claimed that they did not report it. This means that a teenager you know may be experiencing the negative effects of bullying right now, and they are afraid to tell anyone. This is why it is important for adults to be alert for signs of teen bullying, such as social withdrawal or changes in a teen’s daily routines.

2. Cyberbullying is an Escalating Threat

In the past, parents only had to worry about bullying when their kids were not home, and school or the playground were the most common environments for a kid to be harassed. Now, you can no longer assume that teen bullying is not happening just because your kid is in their bedroom. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, 15.5 percent of high school students reported cyberbullying in 2015, and 24 percent of middle school students experienced bullying online. While this is still less than those who are bullied on school property, the effects of cyberbullying can be worse because of the public nature it involves. Having an embarrassing photo posted or watching multiple people place negative responses on their wall can feel as though the whole world is against them to a teenager. Monitoring your child’s online activity for signs of cyberbullying, such as increased late night surfing or an obsession with checking their social media, is one way you can prevent cyberbullying as a parent.

3. Teen Bullying Increases the Risk of Mental Health Disorders

The U.S. Center for Disease Control also reports that students who are bullied are more likely to experience behavioral and mental health problems, such as poor academic performance and a greater risk for depression and anxiety. At first, a child who is being bullied may merely feel some anxiety about going to school, yet they may begin to skip school completely to avoid the painful feelings that accompany being bullied. The constant negativity a bullied child experiences can also lead them to feel an overwhelming sense of depression that makes it even harder for them to reach out for help. Always watch for signs of teen depression, such as changes in your child’s sleep or eating habits along with prolonged periods of sadness. If you notice depression, anxiety or another type of mental health issue occurring, then seek professional treatment for your teen. It is not uncommon for a professional counselor to discover that teen bullying is an underlying cause of a teenager’s mental health issues.

4. The Actual Bully is also at Risk for Negative Consequences

With so much focus on protecting the victims from bullying, parents who have a child who is the bully are often unaware of the importance of seeking help for their teen. Bullies often engage in their behavior due to problems with low self-esteem or as a self-protective measure when they themselves are the victim of bullying or abuse. According to the U. S. Center for Disease Control, bullies are at greater risk of developing issues with substance abuse and violent behavior as they progress through adolescence and into young adulthood. This suggests that in addition to the obvious discipline that must take place when one teen bullies another, it is also important to consider seeking treatment for the underlying issues that are causing a teen to act out against their peers. With the right type of support, many bullies go on to regret their actions and seek to treat others with respect in the future.

5. Teens Often Feel Alone When Faced With Bullying

Although bullying is a hot topic in the media and at many schools, DoSomething.org reports that 67 percent of students still feel as though their school doesn’t do enough to stop bullying from occurring. These same students also believe that other adults in their life do not do enough to help. As parents, it is important to take a stand against bullying. Talk to your teens to find out if they experience bullying, even if you do not see the signs at home. It could be that they have been afraid to speak out, or they may simply know of a child at school who needs help dealing with a bully. Since the majority of the effects of bullying do not show up until serious damage to a child’s mental health has occurred, finding ways to take action early on is critical for protecting victims from long-term damage. Simply opening up a discussion about bullying with your teen may be all it takes to save a child’s life that is threatened by the constant pain of being bullied.

It is always upsetting to watch one teen hurt another, yet the new methods for bullying are often so subtle that it flies under an adult’s radar. Since nearly one in five students report experiencing some form of bullying, it is important to take this issue seriously. Reach out to the teens in your life, and make sure that they know they have you as a resource for help if bullying impacts their sense of security. This way, you can intervene and seek professional help that preserves your teen’s ability to learn and develop in a supportive environment.