The Effects of Bullying on Kids and Teens

1049 Words3 Pages

According to statistics reported by ABC News, nearly 30 percent of students are either bullies or victims of bullying, and 160,000 kids stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying. Bullying is when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power, either in terms of physical or social standing (Young). For example, bullying can be physical: punching, beating, kicking, or punching; verbal: teasing,calling names, or insulting another person with physical harm, or spreading rumors or untrue statements about another person; rational: refusing to talk to someone or making them feel left out. Unfortunately, bullying is something that most kids will experience in their lives, whether it is because they are a bully, they are the victim of a bully or they witness bullying in some form. The effects of bullying are long-lasting and devastating in so many ways. As a result of bullying, kids and teens are suffering from depression, low self esteem, and suicide/suicidal thoughts everyday. First, Children who are ostracized by their peers and bullied often become depressed, but new research suggests that the relationship may work the other way around as well. For example, Children’s depressive symptoms during childhood may cause some kids and teens trouble focusing in school, their health deteriorating, and good decision making (Healthy Children). In fact, a study published in 2007 by the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry identified frequent exposure to bullying as a significant risk factor for depression, as well as for suicidal thinking and suicide attempts as well (Bullying Statistics). The authors of another study, published in 2013 in the Journ... ... middle of paper ... ...ng is something that most kids will experience in their lives and the effects of bullying are long-lasting and devastating. Works Cited "Bullying." http://www.apa.org. N.p., 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. . "Bullies Beat Down Self Esteem." HealthyChildren.org. N.p., 1 Jan. 2010. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. . "Welcome to Bullying Statistics." Bullying Statistics. N.p., 1 Jan. 2009. Web. 22 Apr. 2014. . "JAMA Network | JAMA Pediatrics | Home." JAMA Network | JAMA Pediatrics | Home. The Jama Network, 6 July 2010. Web. 01 May 2014. M. Young, Catherine. "Teen Bullying and Suicide." Bullying and Suicide: 5. Bullying and suicide: Teens. Web. 26 Apr. 2014.

Open Document