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A behavioural psychologist says parents must intervene if they suspect their children are being bullied.
“We should note that all groups involved in bullying experience adverse mental health outcomes in adulthood. So it’s not just the victims but the bullies themselves and, in fact, studies show witnessing bullying can also have adverse effects,” Dr. Scott Leith said during The Greg Morgan Morning Show earlier this week.
“That physical and emotional abuse does not simply resolve itself among children. Those situations are actually quite serious and they require an adult’s expertise.”
Leith said the signs of bullying include withdrawal from others, loss of interest in school and hobbies, and asking for extra money.
Signs can also be physical, he said, like torn clothes and bruising.
When parents or teachers step in, Leith said it’s natural to want to fix things. But he recommends that people resist that urge and give kids space.
“What you want to do is encourage autonomy. You want to respect the child even if they are the bully. You want to avoid labels and avoid what I would call the ‘righting’ reflex,” Leith said.
“It’s important to let the children walk through to their own solution and to listen, just as much or more than you talk.”
Leith also said parents should be talking to their kids about empathy and how to treat people, and intervening when they see somebody being bullied.