Teen years are confusing. Hormones shift, mood swings begin, and kids who were once carefree suddenly become more private, emotional, or withdrawn. For parents, teachers, and even friends, it can be hard to know what’s “just puberty” and what might be something more serious, like bullying.
Bullying is not "just banter" or "kids being kids." When schools dismiss harmful behavior with phrases like "boys will be boys," they create a culture where bullying is tolerated -and victims are left unprotected.