Bullying can happen to anyone at any age. Being bullied at school, home or online might involve someone pushing you, hitting you, teasing you, talking about you or calling you names.
What is bullying?
Bullying is when a person is picked on over and over again by an individual or group with more power, either in terms of physical strength or social standing. Both kids who are bullied and who bullies others may have serious, lasting problems.
Bullying can mean many different things. These are some ways children and young people have described bullying:
- Being called names
- Being teased
- Being pushed or pulled about
- Money and other possessions are taken
- Rumours spread about you
- Being ignored and left out
- Being hit, kicked or physically hurt in any way
- Being threatened or intimidated
Bullying can also be part of other forms of abuse, including neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
Bullying can take many forms:
Different kinds of bullying
- Homophobic – Bullying someone because they are a different sexual orientation from you. Saying that someone is 'gay' or using words like 'gay' as an insult.
- Racist – Treating people differently because of their race, the colour of their skin, where they are from or what they believe in and using offensive words that describe race to bully people.
- Sexist – Treating people differently based on whether they are female or male. For example, thinking that boys are better than girls.
- Disabilist – treating someone differently if they are disabled, or using offensive language to describe people who are disabled and using this to bully people.
- Lookist – Bullying someone because they look different such as if they have ginger hair or wear glasses.
- Classist – Deciding that someone is from a particular social class – usually if they are seen as being rich or poor - and bullying them because of this. For example, calling somebody a, 'chav' or, 'snob'.
Where and when bullying happens
Bullying can occur during or after school hours. While most reported bullying happens in the school building, a significant percentage also happens in places like on the playground or the bus. It can also happen travelling to or from school, in the youth’s neighborhood, or on the Internet.
How does bullying make people feel?
Bullying can put a person in a state of constant fear. Studies show that people who are abused by their peers are at risk for mental health problems, such as low self-esteem, stress, depression, or anxiety. They may also think about suicide.
Bullies are at risk for problems, too. Bullying is violence, and it often leads to more violent behavior as the bully grows up. Some teen bullies end up being rejected by their peers and lose friendships as they grow older. Bullies may also fail in school and not have the career or relationship success that other people enjoy.
Who bullies?
Both guys and girls can be bullies. Bullies may be outgoing and aggressive. Or a bully can appear reserved on the surface, but may try to manipulate people.
They often have poor social skills and poor social judgment. Sometimes they have no feelings of empathy for people.
Some bullies actually have personality disorders that don't allow them to understand normal social emotions like guilt, empathy, compassion, or remorse. These people need help from a mental health professional like a counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist.
What can you do?
For younger kids, the best way to solve a bullying problem is to tell a trusted adult. For teens, though, the tell-an-adult approach depends on the bullying situation.
One situation in which it is vital to report bullying is if it threatens to lead to physical danger and harm. Adults in positions of authority — parents, teachers, or coaches — can often find ways to resolve dangerous bullying problems.
If you're in a bullying situation that you think may escalate into physical violence, try to avoid being alone (and if you have a friend in this situation, spend as much time together as you can). Try to remain part of a group by walking home at the same time as other people or by sticking close to friends or classmates during the times that the bullying takes place.
Nobody likes to be picked on. Here are some tips:
and always remember:
- You are not alone.
- It is not your fault. Nobody should be bullied!
- Talk to someone you trust.
- Do not hurt yourself.
- Do not bully back. It doesn't end things.
- Do not let the bully stop you from being yourself.
Video of bully suicide project stories
Handout
