Bullying is a critical issue in childhood, especially for kids who wear glasses. Unfortunately, children who wear glasses are more likely to be picked on verbally, physically, or both at school. This will often make kids feel self-conscious about looking different, staining their confidence for years to come. Low self-esteem, poor grades, self-harm, and even worsened vision problems are at higher risk of developing in children who are bullied for wearing glasses.

So, how can we educate our children early on to stand up to bullying so that they can appreciate their differences, make other kids feel welcomed, and move forward with confidence?

Know the facts

Unfortunately, wearing glasses has been proven to make children more susceptible to bullying. In one study, it was found that pre-teens have a one-third greater risk of being bullied when they wear glasses or an eye patch. This is often because glasses are not perceived as an attractive accessory, making anyone who wears them a target for bullying. Children who wear glasses are also perceived as weaker or less cool to hang out with.

• Physical appearance is the most common root of bullying.
• Verbal abuse is the most common form of bullying.
• 13% of those bullied report being called names or made fun of.
• 10% of children bullied report being cyberbullied.

Only 20% of students will ever report being bullied. With such a small number of students opening up about their struggles, it is important to know the silent signs of bullying so you can step in before the experience worsens for your child.

Know the signs

10% of children are bullied on a regular basis, and children with glasses are most likely to be a part of that statistic. Here are some silent signs of bullying to look out for as a parent of a child with glasses:

• Declining grades, loss of interest in school work
• Isolation
• Decreased interest in usual activities
• Self-harming behaviors
• Generalized depression or anxiety
• Reduced use of glasses when needed
• Lower self-esteem
• Fear of being at school
• Irritable and easily stressed
• Changes in eating habits
• Sleep disturbances

And for children who wear glasses, they might choose to not wear them while at school for fear of being bullied. This can lead to worsened vision overtime if it goes unnoticed by parents. Children may not understand the impact of their actions as they try to cope with bullying, so it’s our job as parents to know when to step in.

How to help your child stand up to bullying

As a parent of a child with glasses, I know how important it is that my child feels confident in the way he looks, and that he understands that his glasses are only meant to benefit. If your child is just starting out with wearing glasses, help them feel confident by letting them choose styles that they love, styles that help them express themselves. Remind them to seek help if they are being bullied, and how important it is to act early so that bullying does not affect their wellbeing.

Here are some key resources that you can turn to as a parent:

• Resources for getting immediate help
• Resources on stopping bullying and what to do
• Resources for bullying prevention
• Guide for helping educators and students speak up
• Places to call and resources on how to handle bullying

Any questions about helping your child transition to glasses? Drop me an email at contact@drbrasfield.com!