Bullying

What is bullying?

Bullying is a term that you probably hear every week or even every day. But what does it really mean to be bullied? Bullying can be verbal, emotional, physical, or a combination of the three.

It is a pattern of harming and humiliating someone who is typically more vulnerable than the bully. It is deliberate and intended to cause someone harm or humiliation.

Where does bullying happen?

Bullying doesn’t just happen at school; cyber bullying is an increasing issue with the popularity of social media. You aren’t free of it when you go home, if you have a cell phone, it can follow you even to your “safe place”.

What can you do if you are being bullied or see someone being bullied? How can you make sure to not bully someone? We have the answers.

How can you be sure that you are never a bully?

Treat everyone with respect. Think before you say something and ask yourself, “would this hurt my feelings if someone said it to me?”

Maybe you already tried that and the bullying hasn’t stopped. What then?

Talk to someone in your circle of support. Be honest and tell them when the bullying started and what is happening. Tell them how it is making you feel and that you need help. Together, you can come up with a plan to help you stay safe and get the bullying to stop.

Is someone causing you to lose your temper?

Take a breath and step away. Sometimes your emotions can take over and it may make you want to be physical or mean. By stepping away from the situation before that happens you can calm down and then reassess what happened and find a new way to respond.

What should you do if you’re being bullied?

While it can be scary, it is important to speak up for yourself. Tell the person who is bullying you that they need to stop in a calm voice. Is it possible to avoid your bully? Sometimes it can be as simple as avoiding your bully by sitting at another lunch table or asking your teacher for a new seat in class.

What if I have to see my bully every day and can’t avoid them?

Sometimes, there is no way around it. You have to see your bully at school or at work. Try to stay close to your peers and teachers or other adult that you trust. There is strength in numbers.

I am being bullied on SnapChat and Instagram. What can I do to stop it?

Keep your accounts private and only allow people that you know and trust follow you.
Do not follow people who are friends with your bully or the person that is bullying you.
Think twice about what you are posting. Would it embarrass you if it was shared and other people saw it?
Don’t share any of your passwords with other kids.
Be open with your parents or someone else that you trust. If you are being cyber-bullied, tell someone. They can help you create a plan to make it stop.