Last night on CNN, UC Davis sociology professor revealed his study results that bullying frequently occurred to boost someone’s position on the social ladder. The study showed that the more kids cared about being popular, the more aggressive they are.

This study also showed that even though it may give instant gratification in the moment, bullying doesn’t work as a strategy long term to give you the higher social status. Kids may act like they are your best friends but it’s more about them being afraid of what you will do to them than it is about them respecting you and really being your friend.

Kids need to know that bullying isn’t the solution to gaining or maintaining their social status. Studies show that the students who are consistently the most popular are the least likely to be bullies.