Bullying in schools can be detrimental to a child's development and health. 1 in 3 students in the U.S. admit to having been bullied. While most bullying happens in middle school, the effects can last into adulthood. Oftentime, adults are not aware of the bullying taking place and parents do not know that their child is being victimized. According to StopBullying.gov, "No single factor puts a child at risk of being bullied or bullying others," but there are common risk factors that many victims of bullying share. Students who are perceived different from their peers are often those who become bullied, from being overweight to dressing differently. Students who are shy or may suffer from anxiety are also seen as abnormal, often being isolated from their classmates.

Although many may see it as just "kids being kids," the consequences of bullying should not be taken lightly. Bully victims are between 2 to 9 times more likely to consider suicide than non-victims, according to studies by Yale University. Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people. According to statistics reported by ABC News, every day 160,000 kids stay home from school because of fear of bullying. These students are likely to fall behind or become home schooled because of fear of attending class. Bullying can also lead to depression. "Victims of cyberbullying may be at even a higher risk for depression"(BullyingStatistics.org).

With raised awareness, many schools across the country have taken active measures to keep students safe. The best way to protect students from bullying is to stop it before it starts. Teachers are adding bullying prevention material into their lesson plans, administers are setting up systems in which students can anonymously report bullies online, and school systems are strengthening policies to maintain children's safety. But the real help starts at home, with parents talking to their kids about what to do if they are being bulied, what to do if they see bullying, and why they should not be the bully.