Male bullies tended toward threats, physical harm and name-calling, while girls used rumors, rejection and sexual slander. School shootings have thrust bullying into the public health debate over youth violence, where it should have been long ago. Most cases of harassment or teasing don't escalate to the extremes of Columbine and Santee, but psychological damage to both bullies and victims can be lifelong. Victims report loneliness, anxiety, depression and difficulty making friends. Constant fear diminishes their ability to learn.
Bullies are more likely to smoke, use alcohol and get poor grades.
Bullying is a signal that kids need help. Children read adult inaction as tacit approval. Many schools and community organizations, ranging from the Crime Victims' Center of Chester County to Physicians for Social Responsibility, have stepped up to heighten awareness of the problem. They teach the difference between teasing and harassment. In Norway, such programs have reduced bullying up to 50 percent in the last 20 years.