Social relationships during childhood and adolescence play a role in personality development and mental health. Negative experiences encountered during this developmental process can leave lasting marks. Peer bullying can manifest physically, verbally, emotionally, or digitally; it can affect not only the victim but also their family and environment. If not detected early, it has the potential to negatively impact children's educational life, psychological health, and social development.
What is Peer Bullying?
Peer bullying involves aggressive physical or emotional behaviors by an individual or group towards others. This type of bullying usually occurs in school settings, workplaces, or within environmental groups.
Behaviors can occur physically, verbally, emotionally, or in a cyber environment. A distinctive feature of peer bullying is the conscious and ongoing oppression of one individual by another. This situation can adversely affect the individual's mental and social development.
What are the Symptoms of Peer Bullying?
The symptoms of peer bullying can vary depending on the child's age, personality traits, the type and severity of the bullying they are exposed to. While some children prefer to hide their experiences, others may show behavioral and physical reactions.
Emotional Symptoms
Children exposed to bullying display a marked change in their emotional state.
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They may experience constant anxiety, restlessness, and fear.
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Loss of self-confidence, feelings of insecurity and worthlessness may develop.
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The child may distance themselves from activities they previously enjoyed.
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Sleep problems and loss of appetite can occur.
Physical Symptoms
Peer bullying often also manifests as physical violence.
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There may be unexplained bruises, scratches, or injuries.
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Frequent loss, tearing, or damage to the child's personal belongings can be noticeable.
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Children experiencing nausea or dizziness before going to school may display physical manifestations of psychological stress.
Social Symptoms
Bullying experiences can also alter children's social relationships.
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Avoidance of friends and a preference for being alone may occur.
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A reluctance to participate in group games or social activities may begin.
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The child may hold themselves back out of fear of being constantly mocked or excluded.
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There may be a cooling or sudden breaks in relationships with previously close friends.
What are the Types of Peer Bullying?
Peer bullying is considered any harmful act or expression. Peer bullying consists of various types that cover a wide range:
Verbal Bullying
Includes mocking, insulting, using derogatory expressions. This type of communication can cause psychological wear on the child.
Physical Bullying
Involves direct physically harmful behaviors such as pushing, hitting, kicking, breaking, or hiding belongings.
Cyber Bullying
One of the most common forms of bullying today. It occurs through social media, messaging apps, or the internet by threatening, sharing, or disclosing degrading content.
Emotional and Social Bullying
Behaviors like excluding the victim from their peer group, spreading rumors about them, and humiliating them in society. This kind of behavior can damage the child's social cohesion and self-esteem.
Consequences of Peer Bullying
Peer bullying can have serious effects on the victim. These effects can include low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, a decline in school performance, and social isolation.
While bullying can lead to emotional and social problems in the short term, it can cause serious effects on an individual's mental health in the long term.
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Short-term Consequences: Loss of self-confidence, academic failure, sleep disorders, constant anxiety.
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Long-term Consequences: Depression, anxiety disorders, school dropouts, permanent problems in social relationships.
Children who bully may also exhibit tendencies towards aggression, lack of empathy, and societal adjustment issues in the future.
Methods of Preventing and Intervening in Peer Bullying
Peer bullying is a problem that affects not only the student who is bullied but all children in the school environment. Therefore, both families and educational institutions need to approach the issue consciously and intervene in the early stages. The prevention and intervention process should be carried out in three main steps: family support, school policies, and professional help.
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Advice for Parents
For children to comfortably express the issues they face, an open and trust-based communication environment needs to be established within the family. Parents should listen to their children without judgment, show empathy, and adopt a solution-oriented approach. In this way, the child finds the courage to share negative experiences with their family instead of hiding them.
Changes in a child's behavior are one of the signs of bullying. Situations like withdrawal, decline in school performance, social withdrawal, or sleep problems should be closely monitored. Additionally, continuous communication between parents and teachers and the school administration can help solve issues quickly.
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Measures That Can Be Taken in Schools
Schools play a key role in preventing peer bullying. Regular awareness training and seminars should be conducted to develop empathy and respect for differences among students. Thus, children learn about the harms of bullying at an early age and internalize staying away from such behaviors.
It is also important to establish a clear and written school policy against bullying. Students, teachers, and parents should be informed about this issue, and the steps to be taken in possible situations should be transparently explained.
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Professional Support
Professional support is crucial in bullying situations. Psychological counseling and therapy may be necessary for children who are exposed to bullying. Psychologist support can help the child express their feelings and cope.
Children who bully should also receive expert support. Anger management, communication problems, or family issues may be the causes of aggressive behavior. Experts can help the child improve their social skills and prevent the lasting effects of bullying.
Frequently Asked Questions
At what ages does peer bullying occur?
Peer bullying can usually be seen from primary school through adolescence. Children between the ages of 9–14 are particularly at risk.
How can it be understood that a child is being bullied?
Not wanting to go to school, frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches, loss of belongings, withdrawal, and a decline in academic performance can be important indicators.
What can a parent do to resolve a child's bullying situation?
You should support your child and carefully observe the situation. Share the situation at school with teachers and remember that the bully is also a child.
What can be done to prevent peer bullying?
Children should be instilled with empathy, respect, and a sense of responsibility, and awareness activities should be conducted in cooperation with the school and family.