So far in this series, we have identified six clear-cut warning signs of bullying that parents and teachers must carefully monitor in their children. This article will conclude our investigation and provide even more signals for you to monitor. If you have not done so already, be sure to check out Part 1 and Part 2 of this guide to see the full list of bullying indicators your child may exemplify.
Destroyed Property
Your child’s broken cell phone may not be the result of pure clumsiness. In many cases, the lost or destroyed property is a surefire sign your child is being bullied. Books, clothing, electronics, backpacks – all of these items may be targets for a bully to destroy. The bully is trying to gain control over your child, and harming his property is an easy way to do that.
Note that children from well-off families may be bullied by children from a lower income bracket, primarily out of jealousy. If your child goes to a school where most students do not have as much as he does, you may want to avoid sending him out with Beats headphones attached to his iPhone 6 Plus. The gadgets may make your child a target for bullies, even if he is not intentionally showing off.
Adjusted Eating Habits
Many children will suddenly change their eating habits as a result of bullying. Some children will seem hungrier at night than they should be because they are no longer eating lunches at school. Some will binge eat for comfort, while others will stop eating altogether. Eating disorders are common among victims of bullying. In fact, a study in the UK in 2009 showed that 91% of respondents with eating disorders had been bullied, and 46% contributed their disorders to their bullying experiences. If your child has recently changed his eating habits drastically, you may look for other signs of bullying.
Low Self-Esteem
It is hard to stay positive about your life when you have someone constantly telling you that you’re stupid, worthless, ugly, weak, and pathetic. If your child starts talking down about himself on a regular basis, you will need to investigate the source of these negative thoughts. It may just be peer pressure or influences from the media, but it may also be a sign that a bully is picking on your child.
Get Help After Bullying
If your child is being bullied at school, working with a bullying counselor may help him get through the trauma and get back to a happy place in life. You may also explore other bullying treatment programs to put your child back on track for success. The sooner you can identify the problem, the sooner you can get your kid the help he needs.