In middle school and high school, students are often stereotyped into various categories with labels such as “nerd,” “jock,” or “freak.” These labels can often lead to further bullying, which can be especially damaging. Bullying and stereotyping can lead to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, suicidal ideations, and other mental health issues (“Effects of Bullying.” stopbullying.gov). Students may feel isolated, powerless, and unworthy after constant harassment by their peers and being pigeonholed into restrictive stereotypes. Due to the proliferation of technology, bullying and the perpetuation of stereotypes can extend beyond the school environment into online spaces. Cyberbullying can be particularly damaging as it can occur 24/7, can be anonymous, and can reach a wider audience, making it difficult for victims to escape the harassment (“Cyberbulling.” KidsHealth.org). For example, Tod is cyberbullied by Greg, who frequently posts humiliating videos of Tod online where other students can participate in his humiliation.

Children who are bullied often struggle academically due to difficulty concentrating and avoiding class participation or being absent frequently because of their fear of attending school, like Tod’s friend Bernie (“How Bullying Impacts Academic Performance.” Arts Academy in the Woods).