Know Bullying

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Know Bullying

Author: Janani, Harsha, Shruthika and Athira
Reviewed By: Dr. Keerthi Pai and Dr. Sandhya Rani Ramadass

The repetitive, intentional hurting of one person or group by another person or group, where the relationship involves an imbalance of power. Bullying can be physical, verbal or psychological. It can happen face-to-face or online. (Anti-Bullying Alliance, 2002)

Bullying can start with small incidents, remarks, or even jokes, and differences that make a person stand out from the rest of the crowd. What might seem insignificant to some might have a major impact on another person. Gradually, this can shape people’s perceptions of themselves and their self-assurance.

Types of bullying

  • Verbal bullying (name calling, gossiping, threats)
  • Physical bullying (hitting, kicking, pushing)
  • Emotional bullying (threats, intimidation, humiliation)
  • Cyberbullying – Cyberbullying is the use of digital technologies to repeatedly harm,intimidate, or humiliate others. It occurs on social media, messaging apps, gamingplatforms, and mobile devices, and may include spreading false information, sharingembarrassing content, sending abusive messages, impersonation, or misuse of generative AI.
  • Prejudicial Bullying – When someone is targeted because of who they are — their race, religion, gender identity, disability, or cultural background, it is called prejudicial bullying. These forms of bullying target not just individuals, but reflect negative attitudes toward the broader groups or communities they belong to or are perceived to belong to.

Psychological Effects of Bullying on Children

Bullying can have a significant and long term impact on a child’s psychological well – being. Repeated exposure to hurtful behaviour be it physical, verbal or social can have effects on a child’s cognitive capabilities, emotional reasoning and how they perceive themselves and others. Bullying can influence a child’s overall development, which can branch into emotional distress, academic performance, social interactions and their sense of safety. Psychological Impact of Bullying, 2024

The following categories outline the impact of bullying on various psychological aspects affecting children’s mental, emotional and academic well – being.

1. Personal Effects

Sleep & Appetite Disruptions : Bullying causes disturbances in sleep patterns and change in appetite due to experiencing stress and anxiety.

Depression & Anxiety : Children who experience bullying are 3.5 times more likely to develop depression and anxiety disorders.

Self – Esteem : Reduction in confidence, impact on close relationships is observed with persistent shame and negative self – perception.

Physical Symptoms : Increased headaches, stomachaches and other psychosomatic complaints are commonly noted.

Social Withdrawal : Children isolate themselves and avoid peer interactions due to fear and distrust

2. Academic Effects

Lower Grades : Significant decline in academic performances and test scores are observed in students who are being bullied

Trouble with Concentration : Anxiety and preoccupation with bullying interfere with focus and learning.

School Absenteeism : Bullying is cited in 1 out of 10 school dropouts.

Reduced Motivation : Students who experience bullying lose interest in classroom participation or academic achievement.

3. Family Effects

Parent – Child Relationship : Creates parental distress and breakdown ofcommunication in family. This situation also increases overall tension and potential conflicts within the household.

Family Vulnerability : Children from low-income backgrounds and with lower parental education face higher bullying rates.

Long – Term Family Impact : Unresolved bullying can create intergenerational patterns of adversity.

Protective Factors: Strong parental support, warmth, and good communication significantly reduce bullying’s negative effects

What can the parents do?

1. Listen. Believe. Validate:

When your child is trying to share something, kindly listen calmly, believe them, and be their support system. You don’t need to fix things right away; just know that being present matters the most.
Avoid questioning or dismissing their experience. Simple support makes the child feel safe, heard, and valued. (Happy Families, 2025)

2. Assure them, bullying is not their fault:

Let your child know that whatever is happening is not their fault. Always remind them that they are not alone and that they have your full support. And reassure them that you will listen and will not be taking any actions without discussing with them first; this builds trust and makes them feel included. (Anti-Bullying Alliance, n.d.)

3. Have a discussion with your child’s teacher:

Talk to your child’s teacher or school staff, share your concerns, and work together with them to support your child. Avoid directly confronting the other child or their family, as it can make things worse or lead to more conflict, which can make things harder for the child at school. Focus on calm communication and collaboration; it’s more effective to handle the situation through the school. (Happy Families, 2025)

4. Help your child to build inner strength:

  • Listen and take their feelings seriously.
  • Encourage them to join activities or classes they enjoy.
  • Help them connect with others who enjoy similar activities.
  • Praise their efforts, not just results.
  • Remind them of their strengths.

This support will ultimately help them feel more confident and secure about themselves. (UNICEF, n.d., Happy Families, 2025)

5. Stay involved in their online experience:

Try to be involved in what your child does online and have open communication with them. Instead of only warning them about the risks, guide them on how to handle the situation and offer assistance whenever necessary.

  • Talk regularly about what they see and experience online.
  • Always encourage them to come to you if something feels uncomfortable.
  • Avoid blaming or punishing the child; this will make them less likely to reach out to you for help.

When the child feels safer to share, you have better control of the situation and will be aware of what’s actually happening with your child. (UNICEF, n.d.)

6. Be a mentor, not a savior: 

  • Guide your child instead of stepping in right away.
  • Help them think through situations and encourage them to make their own choices or solutions.
  • Let them handle small challenges on their own.

This way, your child will learn how to stand up for themselves.

7. Seek professional help:

If you ever feel unsure or overwhelmed about handling the situation when your child is getting bullied and you don’t know how to offer assistance, it’s okay to ask for help from a professional, such as a school counselor or psychologist, or a child protection practitioner who can guide both you and your child. They provide practical support, strategies, and tools to keep your child safe and build resilience in them.

What can the child do?

1. Tell a trusted adult – It’s okay to ask for help:

If something bothers you, instead of keeping it to yourself, tell an adult that you can trust.

  • Parent
  • Teacher
  • Sibling
  • School counselor

Reach out to an adult who makes you feel safe and remember that your voice matters. And you don’t have to handle it alone, kindly seek support because there are people who care about you and will help you. (Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.)

2. Stay calm, walk away, and avoid the situation:

When someone is bothering you, stay calm and try not to react. If something they say sounds hurtful, not reacting can take away the power that they hold.
You can also firmly say “No” or “Stop” if you feel okay to do so, and then the best option for you is to walk away so it doesn’t escalate the situation and kindly go to a safe space where people are around. Always prioritize safety first. (Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.)

3. Use the buddy system:

If the bully is bothering you, try to avoid being alone with that person. Always choose to stay with a friend and surround yourself with other people—in the classroom, bathroom, during breaks, or on the bus. Even if it’s not a close friend, being around others can help you feel safer and will make it harder for the bully to pick on you. And offer to do the same for a friend or someone who has helped you. (Nemours KidsHealth, n.d.)

4. Know your friend:

Pay close attention to how people treat you. A real friend is someone who makes you feel safe, respects you, and stands by you, not someone who hurts you or joins in when others do. Choose people who make you feel comfortable being yourself.

5. Build confidence, one step at a time:

Confidence doesn’t come all at once; it grows with small steps. Try doing things that make you feel good about yourself. You can start gradually, for example, learning a new skill, anything that you are interested in, helping someone, or speaking up in low-risk situations. And spend your time with people who make you feel valued. The more you practice being yourself, the stronger and more confident you will feel. Just know that you matter.

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