Violence in Children and Adolescents

1. 1. Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention: Statistical Briefing Book: Self-report Behaviors. Released 09/21/2020.

Bullying is intentional infliction of psychologic or physical damage on less powerful children. Bullying can take several forms, including

• Persistent teasing

• Threats

• Intimidation

• Harassment

• Violent assaults

• Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is the use of e-mail, texting, social media, and other digital communication tools to convey threats and/or spread hurtful information to purposely embarrass or communicate false or hostile information about another child. "Sexting," which is the act of sharing sexually charged messages or photographs (usually via cell phone), can be a form of cyberbullying if the messages or photographs are purposefully shared with other people to embarrass or harm the child who originated or appeared in the message or photograph.

Up to one third of children may be involved in bullying as bullies, victims, or both. Social stresses (eg, low family income, low parental education levels) are risk factors for bullying.

Bullies act to inflate their sense of self-worth. Bullies often report that bullying creates feelings of power and control.

Both bullies and their victims are at risk of poor outcomes. Victims often tell no one about being bullied because of feelings of helplessness and shame and fear of retaliation. Victims are at risk of physical injury, poor self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and school absence. Children who are bullied may reach a breaking point, at which time they strike back with potentially dangerous or catastrophic results. Many victims of bullying become bullies themselves. Bullies are more likely to be incarcerated in later life; they are less likely to remain in school, be employed, or have stable relationships as adults.

Participation in gangs has been linked with violent behavior. Youth gangs are self-formed associations of ≥ 3 members, typically ages 13 to 24.

Gangs usually adopt a name and identifying symbols, such as a particular style of clothing, the use of certain hand signs, tattoos, or graffiti. Some gangs require prospective members to perform random acts of violence before membership is granted.

Increasing youth gang violence has been blamed at least in part on gang involvement in drug distribution and drug use. Use of firearms is a frequent feature of gang violence.