Final answer:
Higher grades are not a consequence of bullying; instead, bullying leads to negative outcomes such as substance abuse, stress for witnesses, and targets of bullying missing school.
Step-by-step explanation:
The consequences of bullying encompass many negative outcomes except for higher grades which is not a consequence of bullying. The impacts of bullying include a range of adverse effects such as substance abuse, increased stress for those who witness it, and targets of bullying missing school. The experience of bullying is often associated with a decline in mental health, including anxiety and depression, and can lead to underperformance in academic work. It can also have negative effects on bystanders, potentially leading to feelings of helplessness and reduced likelihood of intervening in emergencies due to the bystander effect. Victims and those different from their peers, including those who are overweight, cognitively impaired or from diverse racial, ethnic, or sexual orientations, are at a higher risk of being targeted for bullying. Long-term effects can also extend to poor academic performance, risky behaviors, and even various psychiatric disorders.