17 Behaviors That Suggest Your Child Might Be Engaged in Bullying

No parent wants to imagine their child being involved in bullying, but recognizing the signs early can make all the difference. Changes in behavior, like increased aggression or unusual secrecy, might hint at a deeper issue. By paying attention to these red flags, you can step in and support your child in making better choices. Let’s explore the behaviors that could indicate your child is bullying others.

Note: The content of this article does not reflect the writer’s personal beliefs.

Aggressive Behavior

If your child shows physical aggression towards others, such as hitting, pushing, or kicking, it might be a sign that they are bullying others. It is essential to address this behavior early on and help your child understand the impact of their actions. Always remember that children learn by example, so it may be worth it to wonder where they may be exposed to violence.

Lack of Empathy

If your children seem to lack empathy toward others or don’t consider their feelings, it could indicate they are bullying others. It is essential to teach your children the importance of empathy and how to treat others with kindness and respect. Always be a positive example for the.

Intolerance Towards Differences

If your child is intolerant towards others who are different from them, such as those of a different race, religion, or sexual orientation, it could be a sign that they are bullying others. It is essential to teach your child about diversity and acceptance of others who are different. 

Trouble with Authority

Is your child having trouble following rules and authority figures? It is essential to teach your child the importance of following rules and respecting authority instead of only demanding respect without ever giving it to others, so watch out for this alarming sign and take action if needed.

Lack of Friends

If your child has trouble making and keeping friends, why? No one wants to become friends with a kid who’s constantly harming others. Does your kid often hang out with friends or he is at home by himself most of the time? Teaching your child social skills and how to make and keep friends positively is essential. 

Narcissistic Tendencies

If your child has an inflated sense of self and thinks they are better than others, it could be a sign that they are bullying others. So, pay close attention to how your kids interact with their relatives and friends. Teaching your child humility and the importance of treating others equally is essential. 

Manipulative Behavior

Is your child manipulative and tries to control others? For instance, you may see him trying to manipulate his sister to do something she doesn’t want by telling her that people will judge her if she doesn’t. Teaching your child how to communicate effectively and positively resolve conflicts is essential. 

Low Self-Esteem

Here is another red flag. If your child has low self-esteem and needs to put others down to make themselves feel better, he may be a bully. Most kids engage in these abusive behaviors because of an inferiority complex. This is why it is essential to help your child build self-esteem positively. 

Disrespectful

If your child is disrespectful towards others, such as using rude language or derogatory comments, it could be a sign that they are bullying others. Make sure you are not a bad example for him, for instance, using negative words to describe his father or other relatives.

Blaming Others

Is your child constantly blaming others for their problems and never taking responsibility for his actions? Teaching your child accountability and taking responsibility for their actions is essential. How? Be the first one to apologize when you make a mistake, and don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability.

Cruel to Animals

Are your children cruel to animals? Check how your kid behaves around dogs, cats, and other animals. Remember that he may also change his behavior when it comes to your pets and may be more aggressive with others. Teaching your child empathy and treating pets with kindness and respect is essential. 

Lack of Remorse

If your child shows no remorse for their actions towards others, they may be the bully in their class. Having no remorse means being able to do all kinds of negative things without understanding the negative consequences our actions have on others. This is why It is crucial to teach your child the importance of empathy and how to apologize and make amends when they have hurt someone.

What About His Friends?

As for adults, the group of friends your kid surrounds himself with says a lot about himself, too. Are most of his friends aggressive, violent, and disrespectful? This is a red flag you don’t want to ignore. If, on the other hand, your kid’s friends are polite, kind, and respectful, you’ve probably nothing to worry about.

Poor Academic Performance

Bullies often have a hard time dealing with authoritarian figures, such as their teachers. This is why their academic performance may not be the best. Is your kid one of the best in his class, or does he constantly struggle with homework and exams? Keep in mind that the latter is not always a sign that your kid may engage in bullying behaviors.

Controlling Behaviors

A controlling behavior may also indicate that your kid is a bully. Children asserting their physical power over others often share a tendency to control and dominate people and situations. Try to determine whether this is the case for your child. How does he react when you assign him a house chore or change his plans?

Acceptance of Violence

A good way to check whether your kid is violent with others is to see how he reacts when he sees violence. Does he tend to condemn it or justify it? If you answer the latter, you should probably investigate the matter further. While this is not necessarily a clear sign that your child is bullying others, you surely want your child to grow up with a strong sense of what’s right and wrong.

Repeated Complaints from Others

If teachers, other parents, or kids keep bringing up concerns about your child’s behavior, it might be a sign that they’re acting like a bully. Instead of brushing these off as misunderstandings, take the time to look into what’s going on. Have an open conversation with your child about why it’s important to treat others well and how their actions can affect the people around them.

More For You

Knowing your child is bullying others can be challenging. But you can always make it better, help your child get rid of this, and make him a better human. The best way is to spend time with them, travel together, and introduce them to new places and cultures. A study says that kids who travel do better at school.

This article was first published on the RB ITALIA Blog.