Bullying

Bullying

What is Bullying and the types? Myth or Fact How does it stop? Things to remember

Involves an Imbalance of Power: people who bully are trying to control or harm their victims and their victims may have a hard time defending themselves.

Intent to cause harm: the bully wants to hurt their victim, it is not an accident

Repetition: the bullying happens to the same person over and over by the same person or group

Verbal: name- calling, teasing, insulting, using suggestive or abusive language, offensive remarks

Social: spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships

Physical: hitting, punching, shoving, any unwanted physical contact. Damage to or taking someone else’s belongings may also constitute as physical bullying.

Cyberbullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others

Text message bullying Picture/video clip bullying via mobile phone

cameras Phone call bullying via mobile phones Email bullying Chat-room bullying Bullying through instant messaging (IM) Bullying via websites

People who bully have power over those they bully

All children will outgrow bullying People who bully are insecure and have low

self-esteem Bullying often resolves itself when you ignor

e it

People who bully others usually pick on those who have less peer status, they know how to harm others, or physical power (size, strength). Getting a big reaction out of someone can make bullies feel like they have the power they want.

For, some bullying continues as they become older. Unless someone intervenes, the bullying will likely continue and, in some cases, grow into violence and other serious problems.

Many people who bully are popular and have average or better-than-average self esteem. Some people who bully may also have poor social skills, for them, bullying can be a way to gain social status.

Ignoring the bullying teaches students who bully that they can bully others without consequences. Adults and other students need to stand up for children who are bullied, to ensure they are protected and safe.

Stand tall and be brave. It ‘s easier to feel brave when you feel good about yourself.

Get a buddy (and be a buddy). Make a plan to walk with a friend or two on the way to school or recess or lunch or wherever you think you might meet the bully.

Don’t show your feelings. Try distracting yourself (counting backwards from 100, spelling the word “turtle” backwards, etc.) to keep your mind occupied until you are out of the situation and somewhere safe where you can show your feelings.

Tell an adult. Find someone you trust and go and tell them what is happening to you.

Walk away. Act like you do not care, even if you really do. Bullies want a big reaction to their teasing and meanness. Acting as if you don’t notice and don’t care is like giving no reaction at all, and this just might stop a bully’s behavior.

Don’t become a bully. Treating someone in the manner that you have been treated in an effort to gain social status is not okay.

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. Do not bully anyone

else. Do not let the bully win. Keep doing what

you love to do.

This topic hits close to home for me. I know children who have been the victims of being bullied. In some of the research I found that the solutions they give to do not seem to always solve the problem. There are children who do not have adults that they can trust to tell. Advising a child to not show emotion when they are being bullied would be difficult for them to do. I feel for children who do not have a support system backing them when they go through these times. In my research I liked seeing groups out there who take a stand against bullying, I think children can relate more when they see people stand for them. I also thought it interesting that bully may not be insecure, they can be popular. This is different from what you see in cartoons the bully is the overweight, socially awkward child. I am glad that there is an abundance of information available for kids, teachers, or anyone that can be affected.

Lyness, D’Arcy. (Oct. 2010). Why do bullies act that way. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/bullies.html#

Lyness, D’Arcy. (Oct. 2010). Preventing a run-in with a bully. Retrieved from http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/emotion/bullies.html#

2009. Types of bullying. Retrieved from http://www.makebeatsnotbeatdowns.org/facts_new.html

n.d.. What is bullying. Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/index.html

n.d.. Types of bulling. Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/topics/what_is_bullying/index.html

n.d.. Test your bullying knowledge. Retrieved from http://www.stopbullying.gov/topic/what_is_bullying/test_your_knowledge/index.html