Kids learn to bully from adults’ threats, manipulation and criticism – a child psychologist explains how parents can model better tactics

Observing how grown-ups operate provides children with information on how they can shape their worlds to get what they want and avoid what they don’t want.

By: Angela J. Narayan, University of Denver, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: June 9, 2026

Words: 1,211

Last Updated: 1 month, 2 weeks ago

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By Angela J. Narayan, University of Denver

“Do what I say, or you’re not invited to my birthday party!”

“I’m not going to be your partner on the project unless you give me the treat from your lunch!”

These kinds of threats are tactics many school-age kids use to solve conflicts. Parents and teachers sometimes assume these common threats are basically harmless.

After all, are they so different from comments kids might hear from grown-ups in …

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