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How Bullying Changes Across a Lifetime

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Bullying isn’t limited to childhood—it can follow people through every stage of life, taking on different forms and leaving lasting emotional impacts. Understanding how bullying evolves with age can help us recognize it more easily, respond more effectively, and support those affected.

 

Childhood

Bullying often begins early. In primary school, it can show up as teasing, name-calling, physical intimidation, or exclusion from games and activities. Children who are "different" in any way—appearance, ability, background—may become targets. At this stage, bullying is sometimes dismissed as a phase, but its emotional effects can be deep and long-lasting.

 

Adolescence

As children grow into teenagers, bullying tends to become more personal and complex. Peer pressure, social hierarchies, and the rise of social media contribute to verbal, emotional, and cyberbullying. Gossip, public humiliation, body shaming, and online harassment are common. Bystanders may be too afraid to intervene and feel guilty about it. Adolescents are especially vulnerable, as identity and self-esteem are still developing. Bullying is one of the leading reasons that many children with autism are enrolled in cyber school (online or virtual schooling).

 

Young Adulthood

In college, the workplace, or social circles, bullying can take subtler—but still harmful—forms. It may include hazing, social exclusion, verbal abuse, manipulation, or online shaming. In work environments, this might show up as micromanaging, intimidation, or undermining someone's efforts.

 

Adulthood

Many adults experience bullying in professional or personal settings. Workplace bullying can involve power abuse, harassment, or discrimination. In personal relationships, bullying may appear as controlling behavior, emotional manipulation, or verbal aggression. Because adult bullying is often covert, it’s frequently underreported or misinterpreted as "tough leadership" or "personality clashes."

 

Older Age

Even seniors aren’t immune. Bullying in retirement homes, social groups, or even families can occur. It may involve exclusion, gossip, financial manipulation, or caregiver abuse. Older individuals may hesitate to speak up due to fear, shame, or isolation.

 

Why It Matters

Bullying doesn’t always look the same—but it always hurts. By recognizing the ways it shows up throughout a person’s life, we can intervene earlier, create safer environments, and support healing at every age. Everyone deserves respect, dignity, and safety—no matter how old they are.

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What can parents do?

Teach self-advocacy
Although it's not the kid's responsibility to fix it, it's an important skill to learn how to ask for help in ways that work for them, like writing, speaking or using a device. Make it an IEP goal. 

Call an IEP Meeting
To address the concerns and determine an action plan. An effective advocate is mindful of their own triggers and emotions to collaborate towards a solution. Instead of telling the school staff what they should do...ask specific questions that lead to a resolution.

If no resolution was reach in the IEP meeting, schedule an in-person meeting with principal/assistant principal. Keep detailed notes. 

Waiting until there's proof can put them in harms way. You may want to transfer them to a cyber school or charter school in the meantime.

When you can't reach a resolution

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Bradley Goldsmith Law LLP
Where: 1290 Broadcasting Road Suite 4, Berks
Call: (610) 750-5565
Website


Jacobson and John, LLP
IEP and 504 Plan Review
Consult and Meeting Support

Where: 99 Lantern Drive, Suite 202, Doylestown
Call: 215-340-7500 or 877-544-0344
Website
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Kingspry
Where: 1 West Broad Street. Suite 700, Bethlehem
Call: 610-332-0390
Website


Law Office of Mark W. Voigt
Where: 600 W. Germantown Pike Suite 400 Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462
Call: 267-991-0396
Website
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McAndrews Law
Where: 30 Cassatt Ave, Berwyn
Call: 610-648-9300
Website

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