Is your teenager a victim of bullying? | School Problems

Total Transformation

It may truly be quite difficult to discern if your teenager is a victim of bullying. Your teen may not come home bawling to you as he or she may have once done as a kid when someone picks on him/her at school. It’s not that simple anymore. Things get quite more complicated, once he/she is in high school. A teenager is preoccupied with image during this period, and his inability to control the situation he is placed in can definitely appear ‘uncool’ in the face of his fellow teens. Because of this, he may be hesitant to reveal to you that he is being bullied. But this can be a definite cause for concern as the harassment may escalate without your knowledge.

So as a concerned parent, what can you do to help your teen if he may be a victim? How can you find out if your teen is being harassed by one of his peers? If you notice any abrupt or significant changes in self-esteem or self-concept in your child, this may be a definite sign of his being exposed to a bully.

Frequent excuses to avoid class or be absent from school or certain activities may be your teen’s way to avoid being harassed. Avoiding social activities with his peers may be a sign of something fishy.

Rushing up to his or her room after school may actually be because of any physical wounds or bruises he or she may struggle to cover up with foundation or concealer so that they may come unnoticed.

You may definitely also notice a difference in personality. Your teen’s bubbly attitude may be replaced with silence and unease. It is difficult to deal with pressure from a bully and keep it under wraps. If your teen is giving off a different vibe, then don’t hesitate to figure out what’s up.

Your teen’s relationships with other peers may also suffer because of being bullied. He may feel that his peers aren’t sticking up for him or being there for him. You may notice that he isn’t as excited about hanging out with his pals and may prefer being alone or staying home most of the time.

Your teenager may also be acting up more at home. He/she may be venting out whatever tension that he/she may not be able to release on the bully who has been harassing him, at home or on you instead. The bully bullies him, and he bullies you.