If you are a father or mother and you think about bullying, you may feel certain nerves, because you never know if it can happen at school. Bullying is a very real social problem, too many children suffer it on a daily basis and, unfortunately, there are also children and adolescents who take their own lives because they feel that they can no longer bear that emotional or physical torture to which they are subjected on a daily basis.

It is necessary for all parents to know what behaviors indicate that a child or adolescent may be being bullied. On many occasions, children and adolescents are told that they are being bullied out of fear of further reprimands from the bullies or out of shame . This is why it is so important that parents know what the indicators are so that they can seek help as soon as possible if necessary.

Bullying then and now

The first thing to keep in mind at home is that bullying is not temporary, and if nothing is done it will only increase. It is not “a child’s thing”. Formerly people considered bullying as something that had to happen and that is why society got used to turning a blind eye when this series of problems arose in schools.

On the other hand, today, bullying is more frequent than ever or at least, more cases are known, because society begins to become aware of the devastating consequences it can have on the victim. As if that were not enough, bullying has evolved with the rise of social networks , bullying spreads faster and more aggressively, making it more difficult to recognize when these harmful behaviors are taking place, and the children who are bullied They cannot “disconnect” from the bullying even when they are at home.

This widespread problem can cause its victims serious psychological problems until adulthood, leading to suicide and even violence against others. It’s time to stop the bullying before it’s too late.

What is bullying?

Bullying is aggressive and unwanted behavior by one person or group towards another person or group that is perceived as less powerful. The most important part of the equation is that it is relentless and happens regularly. (An occasional negative comment or action, while unwelcome, is classified as teasing, rather than bullying .)

Warning signs or behaviors

There may be warning signs that your child is being bullied, they may also have behaviors that are silently warning you that they are going through an ordeal every time they go to school. Recognizing these red cards is key to identifying a problem and helping your child overcome the situation as soon as possible. Each circumstance is unique, but the keys to knowing if your child is being bullied at school are the following:

• • Unexplained injuries and tells you things that are not coherent to justify it

• • You come home with your things torn, your clothes ripped, or you “lose” things too often.

• • Sudden avoidance of social situations

• • Start having fewer friends

• • Is isolated

• • Alteration of eating habits such as not wanting to eat or eating too much

• • Nightmares, trouble sleeping, or insomnia

• • Does not want to participate in school work

• • Does not want to go to school

• • Your grades start to get worse

• • Has self-destructive behaviors such as self-harm

• Talk about suicide or death

These behaviors and signals should not be ignored or turned a blind eye. Do not think that it is something that will happen in time, because it will not. Your child needs your help and needs it urgently. If you discover that he is a victim of bullying, you should take the necessary measures so that your child can overcome this situation as soon as possible.