pediatrics
Violence in Children and Adolescents
Bullying
Bullying is intentional infliction of psychologic or physical damage on less powerful children. Bullying can take several forms, including Persistent teasing Threats Intimidation Harassment Violent assaults Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is the use of e-mail, texting, social media, and other digital communication tools to convey threats and/or spread hurtful information to purposely embarrass or communicate false or hostile information about another child. "Sexting," which is the act of sharing sexually charged messages or photographs (usually via cell phone), can be a form of cyberbullying if the messages or photographs are purposefully shared with other people to embarrass or harm the child who originated or appeared in the message or photograph. Up to one third of children may be involved in bullying as bullies, victims, or both. Social stresses (eg, low family income, low parental education levels) are risk factors for bullying. Bullies act to inflate their sense of self-worth. Bullies often report that bullying creates feelings of power and control. Both bullies and their victims are at risk of poor outcomes. Victims often tell no one about being bullied because of feelings of helplessness and shame and fear of retaliation. Victims are at risk of physical injury, poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and school absence. Children who are bullied may reach a breaking point, at which time they strike back with potentially dangerous or catastrophic results. Many victims of bullying become bullies themselves. Bullies are more likely to be incarcerated in later life; they are less likely to remain in school, be employed, or have stable relationships as adults. 