Signs a Child Is Being Bullied at School That Parents Should Know
Bullying, whether verbal, physical or mental, continues to occur in the school environment. According to data from the Indonesian Education Monitoring Network (JPPI), there were at least 233 cases of violence in schools in the period from January to March 2026 alone.
Nevertheless, children who are victims of bullying are often afraid to open up about what they are experiencing. For this reason, parents are considered to need to be more sensitive in recognising changes in their child’s behaviour.
Psychiatrist dr Gayathri K said that a child who is being bullied will always show behavioural changes at home. The following are six signs that may indicate a child is a victim of bullying at school:
- Repeated physical complaints
A child may frequently complain of headaches, stomach aches, bodily aches or other physical complaints with no clear cause, particularly when a school day approaches. These complaints may be a manifestation of the anxiety, fear and stress caused by experiencing bullying at school.
- Declining academic performance
Changes in learning ability can also be a sign. Parents need to take note if their child suddenly experiences a drop in grades, frequently fails to complete schoolwork, or loses interest in their lessons.
- Behavioural changes
Bullying can lead to emotional and behavioural changes. Signs to watch for include a child becoming more withdrawn, frequently isolating themselves, being easily offended, or experiencing emotional outbursts that previously rarely occurred.