Bullies: Who Are They?
October is National Bullying Prevention Month, making it an ideal time to review key information to help stop bullying.
According to Health Direct, “Bullies are individuals who repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions to hurt others, gain power, social status, or attention.” When examining the key traits of a child who might engage in bullying, it’s important to remember that these personality characteristics don’t guarantee that a child will become a bully. Instead, they serve as indicators that a child could have difficulties with empathy, social boundaries, or impulse control, all of which can contribute to becoming a bully.
Here are ten common characteristics often seen in children who bully others.
- Aggressiveness – Uses physical or verbal aggression to assert dominance over peers.
- High impulsivity – Acts without thinking about consequences or other children’s feelings.
- Low empathy – Difficulty caring for or understanding others’ feelings.
- Want control or power – Enjoy the feeling of dominating others.
- Trouble following rules – Frequently challenges authority or disregards boundaries.
- Attention seeker – Works to gain attention from peers and adults by bullying others.
- Manipulates – Frequently controls people and situations by lying and spreading rumors for personal gain.
- Seek peer influence – Bully to fit in with a specific group or gain status.
- Frustrated easily – Becomes upset when they don’t get their way and is easily angered.
- Environmental Factors – Include exposure to bullying or aggressive behavior at home, lack of supervision, and inconsistent discipline.
Understanding these traits isn’t about labeling children; it’s about recognizing warning signs and offering guidance, support, and accountability. With early intervention, most children can learn empathy, kindness, and healthier ways to relate to others.
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Sources:
https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/bullying
Photo by Joseph Gonzalez on Unsplash
