10 Facts About Teen Bullying
By Staff Writer
- Bullying comes in many forms, including direct attacks (such as hitting, teasing, name-calling or damaging belongings) or indirect attacks (such as spreading rumors or purposefully excluding someone).
- Bullying has taken place for decades, but in recent years experts have begun to draw attention to the lasting emotional and psychological effects of teen bullying. In addition to feeling afraid and tense, bullying can affect victims’ academic performance, attendance at school and self-esteem. Recently, a number of teens have committed suicide, reportedly because of relentless attacks by bullies. Even as adults, victims of teen bullying suffer from higher levels of depression and low self-esteem than other adults.
- Teens who witness bullying are also negatively impacted. In some cases, witnesses feel helpless, guilty and anxious when they don’t report bullying or feel like they are powerless to help. In other cases, witnesses may be drawn into the bullying by peer pressure, blame the victim or end a friendship with someone who is a frequent target for bullies.
- Roughly one-third of teens in the U.S. are involved in bullying, either as a bully, a victim or both. While bullying tends to be more common among younger teens and middle school students, older teens also report being mistreated.
- Both boys and girls engage in bullying, though boys are more likely to be involved in physical beatings or attacks. Boys target girls and boys, while girls tend to target other girls using indirect attacks.
- Cyber-bullying, which takes place online, on social networking sites and in text messages, is even more damaging than name-calling and physical attacks. What’s worse, cyber-bullying is easier on the bully, who tends to be less depressed than traditional bullies, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health.
- Kids who bully at school are more likely to bully at home and engage in other types of violent and destructive behavior, including drinking, using drugs and getting into fights.
- Teens who become bullies tend to be confident, aggressive, impulsive, hot-tempered and dominating. They have little compassion for their victims and tend to be bigger and stronger than their peers. Although they get in trouble a lot and do poorly in school, they make friends easily.
- Teens who become the victims of bullies tend to be socially withdrawn or shy and may suffer from low self-esteem. Being gay also puts teens at risk, as research shows that gay teens get bullied two to three times more than heterosexual teens.
- Kids who bully are often headed down a dangerous path. They are at high risk for serious violence, antisocial behavior, legal troubles, and drug or alcohol addiction. Specialized programs for troubled teens can help bullies find healthier ways to get their needs met.