As a continuation to the previous episode; The "Be-Free" continues to address questions sent by children and parents on the topic of bullying.
Episode 2: The impacts and effects of bullying
• What impacts does bullying have on children? Is it a serious matter?
Bullying is a topic to be taken seriously due to its considerable and deep impact on most children, especially those exposed to bullying without receiving help or support. Bullying carries one or more of the following effects on children: A child exposed to bullying may suffer a compromised self-esteem, view himself as unworthy of respect and unable to protect himself. Further, in case he was not surrounded by a circle of friends , he may begin to believe what he hears from the bully ; such a believe distorts his self-image deeply which may lead to depression. A child's compromised self-esteem may leave him vulnerable to other kinds of abuse, such a sexual abuse.
On the other hand, the child's sense of being assailed, weak and unable to protect himself, in addition to lose of control over his reality, may contribute to the formation of his personality whereby he chooses to avoid facing the challenges brought about by life and opt for the easy path of escaping problems, alternatively he may opt for surrendering to the bully, making him a victim of such assault throughout his life, whether at work or in social relationships that may form in his future.
The child often prefers avoiding presence in location where the bully is. If the bully is a student attending the child's school, the victim may choose to be absent from school, which affects his academic level. In case the bully was a member of the family , the child may refuse to participate in family visits or gatherings.
• What is the impact of bullying on teenagers?
Studies show, including a study by the University of Texas, that adolescents who are exposed to bullying for the first time in their teenage years, suffer greater impacts on their future lives than those who are subjected to bullying in their childhood.
In addition to the effects mentioned above, many adolescents exposed to bullying, tend to sink into depression, formation of a negative self-image or opting for aggressive behavior towards others. Some resort to isolation and introversion or engage in alcohol or substance abuse.
• How can I know that a child is being bullied?
Many children may not speak of the bullying they are exposed to at school, either for fear of the bully, a believe that he has to solve the matter independently, the indifference of parents in an earlier incident, the fear of being reprimanded by parents or called names like "coward" , " stupid "or other labels that only serve to make the situation harder on him. In such cases a child feels that it is best not to share what is happening to him.
To identify whether or not a child is being bullied, attention must be paid to several important signs, such signs do not necessarily mean that a child is being bullied. However, it's important to observe and investigate them. Examples of such signs and symptoms are anxiety of going to school, suffering from headaches and abdominal pain during school days, a drastic change in his grades, the constant request for money, the presence of bruises on his body, torn clothes or absent-mindedness.
Closely monitoring the nature of a child's relationship at home ,with his siblings or at places he is frequent at like school helps to recognize what the child is going through.
Perhaps the most important aspect is building a solid relationship with the child, where the child is comfortable talking to his parents about the challenges he is facing. The child might not share what he is going through with his parents in their first conversation , but with the passage of time, he may feel more comfortable to speak. This is especially true when the child is not being criticized.
This relationship serves more than to identify whether or not a child runs the risk of being bullied, but it also contributes to protection from future bullying. This topic will be further addressed in the next episode.
