Your child suddenly showing signs of low mood, unusual quietness, loss of appetite, and declining academic performance? Law enforcement officers and experts remind all parents that these are warning signs that your child may be experiencing bullying.
While no one wants bullying to happen to their child, the actual situation of adolescents experiencing bullying is quite alarming. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) in the United States, during the 2021-2022 school year, as many as 19% of American students aged 12 to 18 reported experiencing bullying on campus.
In the month of October, designated as “International Anti-Bullying Month”, the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), private organizations, and schools are hosting events to educate children on how to prevent and address bullying incidents, urging parents to take this matter seriously.
At a school anti-bullying event on Wednesday, October 1st, Deputy Chief of the Los Angeles Police Station and Commander of the Police Action Center, German Hurtado, pointed out, “We have seen too many tragic incidents caused by bullying. It is not just in-person bullying, but also cyberbullying. Sometimes children don’t realize they are also bullying others.”
Hurtado emphasized that bullying is not just about face-to-face verbal and physical attacks. Spreading rumors, teasing, excluding, insulting or humiliating, spreading falsehoods, pushing, tripping, spitting, or threatening are all considered forms of bullying.
With the development of social media, cyberbullying has escalated, intensifying the physical and emotional harm faced by students on campus. Harassment, obscenity, sharing private information online, and other behaviors are all forms of bullying.
Monica Harmon, Executive Director of the “Speak Up Against Bullying” organization, said: “Too many children (experience bullying) and fear going to school, losing the opportunity to receive an education. There are many bad actors online who subject children to cyberbullying and online gaming abuse, especially now with AI and ChatGPT, children’s situation is even more perilous.”
Campus bullying often causes severe physical and emotional harm to the victims. Victims may also experience depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues, with a tiny minority of bullied children resorting to extreme violence as retaliation.
However, there are many warning signs of bullying. Officer Hurtado mentioned that if a child’s behavior changes drastically after coming home, seems moody, avoids contact with family, prefers solitude, and becomes isolated, parents should be vigilant as “this could be a sign of bullying.”
He advised parents to closely monitor their child’s condition, maintain regular communication, and if they suspect any signs, immediately contact the school and teachers, consider reporting to authorities or seeking psychological help for the child. If the bully’s actions constitute a crime, reporting to the police directly is an option.
In daily life, parents should encourage their children, boost their confidence, and teach them to express their true feelings. Additionally, educate children not to share personal information or home addresses online.
Harmon added that besides preventing their own children from being bullied, parents should also teach their children not to bully others.