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Bullying in and around school.
Bullying is a common problem at schools and beyond. It leaves a big impression not only on your child but also on you as a parent. But where is the limit? When is it no longer teasing but bullying? Where can this bullying behavior come from? You can read that in this article.
What is bullying?
Unfortunately, bullying occurs in many different ways. You can think of excluding someone, name-calling, or even physical aggression such as pushing, hitting, and kicking. Taking away or breaking belongings can also be a form of bullying. Bullying sometimes continues outside school hours. Cyberbullying, or online bullying, often happens through WhatsApp and social media channels such as TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook.
Sometimes there is one bully, but in most cases there is a group with one or more leaders. Unfortunately, there are also many followers in such a group who join in bullying. Your child can feel unsafe at school and outside, because bullying often happens secretly and keeps repeating.
Characteristics of bullying
- It happens repeatedly and often over a longer period
- There is a clear power difference between the bully/offender and your child/the victim. For example, the bully is physically and/or socially stronger.
- It is deliberately meant to hurt someone. Even if it is not meant consciously, it can feel like bullying to a child. In that case, it is just as important to take action.
Why does someone bully?
Many young children explore which behavior is socially accepted and which is not. The following signals can be early signs of bullying behavior:
- He really wants to get attention in a group.
- He wants to hide his own insecurity.
- He takes out his frustration on other children.
- Your child has been bullied before and wants to prevent this by bullying others.
- He really wants to be popular or is actually very jealous.
- He is lonely and often bored.
Do you recognize your child in these signals? If you suspect your child is bullying others, it is important to offer help. Your child learns in this way to understand the consequences of bullying. This can prevent bullying in the future.
Consequences of bullying
When your child is bullied, it can have far-reaching consequences. Because of the bullying, your child may no longer feel safe or may lose confidence in themselves. When your child is bullied for a long time, it can affect your child’s academic performance and social-emotional development. It may even be that your child feels so unsafe that they do not dare to go to school anymore. For this reason, it is very important to seek help quickly.
Counter bullying at school
Creating a safe environment where every child can be themselves is important not only at home but also at school. It is important to act quickly and adequately when a child is bullied because of the serious consequences. What does the school specifically do to prevent bullying? Is the school required to prevent and tackle bullying? How far does this reach? Below you can read more about this.
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