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Child Bullying: What Are The Warning Signs?

By: Florrie Poff, Posted on: 2007-07-03

Of all the problems your child could experience, bullying is probably one of the most serious. This article helps you to identify some of the signs that may indicate your child is being bullied.

First of all, bullying includes any behavior that intimidates or causes your child distress, hurt or pain whether emotionally, physically or a combination of these. There is no single reason why a child may be susceptible to bullying. For instance, a child may be bullied because they wear glasses, or because of their physical appearance, religion, race, signs of poverty, family break-up, being shy or simply quiet. The bully usually picks on a child that stands out to be different from other children and so they feel they can easily bully them.

It is a fact that bullying can destroy the confidence of a child thus leaving them feeling worthless, frightened, withdrawn and alone. The consequences of bullying if not stopped quickly could impact on a child for many years.

Numerous surveys of groups of children have been undertaken in the recent past and many conclude that more than half said that they had been bullied at school. Despite most schools having an anti-bullying policy, it would appear that bullying continues to be a major issue for children of all ages.

As parents, one of the most important things that needs to be learnt is being able to recognize the signs that might indicate that your child is being bullied in school, or indeed any club or society that your child may attend. Whilst these signs do not automatically point to bullying, they nevertheless can be a useful indicator. These are the signs to look out for:

A change in the behavior of your child such as being moody, depressed, tearful, or quiet and withdrawn when he/she comes home from school.

Fewer friends than before, or has no friends these days.

Shows high levels of anxiety.

Loss of appetite.

Having low self-esteem when previously this appeared good.

Visible signs of being anxious.

Personal items have been damaged, broken, or are missing.

Not wanting to take the bus to school.

Interest in school activities has reduced.

A loss of appetite.

No desire to take the bus to school.

Personal belongings have been damaged, broken, or been stolen.

Walks to school using a differant route than used previously.

Has fewer friends than previously, or no real friends at all.

Interest in school work has deteriorated and school grades have recently fallen.

In our modern world of technology many children have a cell/mobile phone and Internet access. It is a fact that children often share their email addresses and phone numbers with their friends, but the sad fact is that friendships can easily come to an end and their personal information can, in some cases, be used against them to cause maximum hurt and embarrassment.

Therefore, has your child got a cell/mobile phone? If so, it could be your child is receiving insulting, threatening or vulgar text messages. Unpleasant messages may also be left by the bully on the answer phone. Do you really know if this is happening to your child?

Your child may also be bullied by receiving threatening emails or there may be a very unpleasant campaign carried out by several children against your child through emails or through unmonitored Internet chat rooms. In this regard, parents clearly need to closely monitor the use of these modern methods of communication by their children.

Your child may be suffering as a result of being bullied but it may not be bullying either. It could be that your child is medically unwell. As a parent you are in the best position to find out what the problem really is.

Careful and thorough investigation is necessary and it is only when this has been done will you be able to confirm or otherwise whether or not your child is being bullied. Once you know this, you can then take whatever action is needed to remedy any bullying. Whatever you do, do not leave anything to chance. Keep your eyes and ears open and as soon as you suspect anything, take action quickly.

Article Source: http://www.allthebestarticles.com

About the author: Florrie Poff can help you to defeat child bullying. For Defeat Bullying Strategies sign up to her Defeat Bullying Newsletter and receive Two Free eBook Chapters
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