Is My Child Being Bullied at School?

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According to the National Center for Education Statistics, one in five students report being bullied at school. Growing up is tough and bullying makes it even tougher. Many students are afraid or ashamed to come forward, so it is up to the parents to be aware and look for signs of bullying.

If you think that your child might be a victim of school bullying, pay close attention to the following signs:

·      Depression or low self-esteem

·      Poor grades & withdrawal from school or activities

·      Isolation

·      Unexplained injuries

Depression or low self-esteem

Kids can be moody, but there is a difference between occasionally being sad or angry to constantly feeling depressed. Observe how your child acts and how they talk about themselves. Often times, when a child is bullied, they become very hard themselves. If your child is always feeling down or continuously putting themselves down, it might be a result from being bullied at school.

Poor grades & withdrawal from school or activities

A child that is being bullied at school could have a resulting decline in their grades. They might also try to find ways to not attend school or school activities. If you have noticed your child withdrawing from school or notice that their grades are suffering, try to schedule a conference with their teacher. It is helpful to get insight from the teacher to see why your child isn’t doing well in school before jumping to conclusions.

Isolation

If you notice your child starting to isolate themselves from friends or school, this could be a sign that they might be a victim of school bullying. Depression often leads to losing interest in hobbies, which can cause children from wanting to partake in activities they used to enjoy.

Unexplained injuries

One of the biggest and most obvious signs of school bullying is unexplained injuries. If your child is coming home with bruises or other injuries on a constant basis, but doesn’t have a reasonable explanation for them, they might be the victim of physical bullying.

It is important to always talk to your child about bullying. Be open with them while letting them know it is not their fault and there are things that can be done to stop it. Your first step as a parent should be approaching the school for a solution. Then, if the school fails to take action, contact Edelstein Law for proper legal advice and representation.