However, once a child reaches the age of 12, psychological changes take place and the bullying becomes more violent. This might include the use of weapons and sexual abuse. Some signs to watch for in younger children include setting fires, and torturing animals. Usually bullies come from middle-income families that do not monitor their activities. The parents of bullies are either extremely tolerant and permissive, and allow them to get away with everything, or physically aggressive and abusive.
Bullies like to be in control of situations, and enjoy inflicting injury on others.
Usually taller and stronger than other children their own age, bullies see the world with a paranoid's eye. They see threats where none exist and believe that their anger and aggressiveness is justified. The bully might lash out at people because he's angry about something. Maybe someone in his life is bullying him. He could be hurting from abuse he received in the past, or maybe he grew up observing those around him using violence as a means of settling differences.