20 Warning Signs Your Child May Be Getting Bullied at School

Scratches and bruises are almost inevitable when kids have fun at the playground. But if you ask them about the injuries and they say they can’t remember or the answer changes, or if the response simply doesn’t explain how the injury occurred, this may be a sign that the child is being pushed around physically, according to Hertzog.

Damaging someone’s belongings is a form of bullying, Hertzog said. Oddly torn, ruined, or stolen clothes or other belongings are common signs of playground bullying. Similar to the unexplained bruises, when asked about what happened, the child usually doesn’t want to talk about it or can’t explain it.

Very often kids fake aches and pains so they don’t have to go to school, Hertzog said. “Or maybe they just don’t want to get on the bus to school.” If this happens once or twice, the child may just feel like not going to school — who hasn’t had such moments? — but if it happens in a pattern and often, there is probably a legitimate reason for not wanting to be in school, Hertzog added.

A child may be faking illness as an excuse not to go to school but he or she may also actually be sick. It’s not uncommon for traumatized children to exhibit physical symptoms of anxiety, according to Hertzog. Often those are stomach and headaches, she noted.

Social avoidance does not necessarily mean bullying. But if a child suddenly doesn’t want to go to practice, it could be because someone on the team is bullying him or her, Hertzog said. It is not uncommon for that person to be the coach, she noted. “We consider bullying to be peer to peer, but sometimes the problem is someone older.”

Changes in eating habits are a real sign, according to Ellis. “When depressed, some people binge eat. Others don’t pay attention to food because they are so depressed.”

Bullying is an emotional trauma, Hertzog said. Knowing he or she has to go to school in the morning, a child may be nervous. This can result in trouble falling asleep, waking up frequently, or even nightmares. Being tired in the morning may be a sign that the child is having trouble sleeping.

This could be the result of a general change in attitude towards school, Hertzog said. “The child doesn’t want to be there, is distracted in class — all of these things add up and are compounded.” Depression, anxiety, and trouble sleeping, too, can contribute to having problems with schoolwork.

Self-harm is not an uncommon response to bullying, Hertzog said. It’s a very private way of dealing with emotional pain, she added. Other self-destructive behaviors may include talking about hurting themselves. Research shows that children who have been victims of bullying in elementary school are almost five times more likely to engage in self-harm when they are teenagers.

Kids know they can’t push other children around in front of adults and that’s why most of the bullying happens outside the view of teachers, parents, or other adults, according to Hertzog. If a child suddenly decides he or she wants to go to school using a different route, it may be because someone is being aggressive towards them.

A child who is bullied may seem afraid to go to school, walk to school by themselves, or ride the school bus. This is true even if the child is bullied online. Some kids who bully spread rumors aiming to embarrass another child.

Bullying is often about power whether in the form of physical strength or popularity. A person who sees himself in a more powerful position is targeting someone seen in a weak position. The bullied child may not want to talk to about the reason for being sad, moody, teary, or even depressed.

Loss of friends and avoiding social situations is another common sign that a child is being bullied. Children may start to withdraw in order to avoid social interactions. They isolate themselves on purpose as a defense mechanism.

Self-esteem is basically how people value themselves. Children with low self-esteem don’t think highly of themselves and believe they have little worth — which is what the person bullying them may be saying in one form or another. Emotional bullying often includes intimidation.

Bullied children sometimes lash out. Acting out against siblings or parents is not an uncommon response in kids who are bullied. Research by Steven & Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of New York found that victims of physical bullying were four times more likely to act aggressively, and victims of cyberbullying were 10 times more likely than children who have not experienced bullying.

A child may stop participating in class out of fear that no matter what they say they will be bullied. A 2010 study by the University of California at Los Angeles found that low achievement in school and bullying were linked. Teachers may sometimes misinterpret a child’s silence for lack of motivation to learn.

A child may come home hungry because a bully is stealing their food or lunch money. He or she may ask for extra cash to buy lunch or for extra food for lunch.

Kids often don’t express themselves easily. About 64% of bullied children never reported the bullying, according to research. A child who is being bullied may often refuse to talk about what’s wrong for fear it may get worse. They may also fear retaliation, shame for being bullied, or that no one can help.

Change in online behavior is common when a child is being bullied online. Possible signs include closing the screen or hiding the phone when the parents are in the room, becoming upset after being online, suddenly avoiding any electronic devices, not wanting to go online anymore, or spending a long time online.

Kids who bully often pick on children who look different and that often means kids who dress differently. They may get picked on if they are not wearing the latest popular brands or just a current popular item. This puts a lot of pressure on kids, especially girls, to fit the mold, and they may respond by starting to change their appearance.