Bullying
All you need to know about bullying for Adolscents
An Introduction to bullying
Bullying. One word that has different meanings to everyone. Either it means it's punching someone in the face or sending mean threats, they're different meanings. From the variety of opinions to what bullying is, they all have one thing in common. To hurt someone.
Bullying is when someone is constantly hurting the someone's feelings or physically hurting them. There are lot's of ways someone can bully you but the main category of bullying are verbal bullying, physical bullying, social bullying, psychological bullying and cyber bullying.
Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying is the most used type of bullying. It includes name-calling, insulting the person or someone/something they care about, and/or making discriminatory remarks. Those who verbal bully usually do it in front of an audience.
Physical Bullying
Physical bullying occurs when one person is physically hurt by another.Some examples are hitting, poking, pushing, scratching, kicking and/or grabbing someone with a desire to cause physical damage. This area of bullying is used more by boys, but it is certainly not exclusive to them with girls resorting to it more and more.
Cyber Bullying
Cyber Bullying is when someone uses social or online media to verbally, psychologically or emotionally bully someone. Cyber bullying also includes creating/finding humiliating pictures and videos and making them public on the Internet. Cyber bullying are increasing these days with the new social media sites.
Psychological Bullying
Often the hardest to prove, psychological bullying is sending demeaning messages to someone indirectly. That be by using ‘mind games’, criticising them, constantly ‘changing the rules’ so the victim can never be right, and causes the victim to feel emotional stress and confusion. Psychological bullying can also include threatening, manipulating, controlling, possessing and even stalking someone. it is hard to show that it’s actually happening, the victim will often put up with the treatment while questioning themselves and their ability to make sound judgments. This type of bullying can also make the victim blame everything on them self.
Social Bullying
Social bullying is often thought to be one of the most hurtful forms. It involves lying about someone, spreading rumors, giving them the ‘silent treatment’, excluding someone from a group or activity, mimicking and mocking them or humiliating them in public. It is usually done in a group with by-standers but still occurs on a one-on-one basis, particularly around girls.
Effects of Bullying on Physical, Social and Mental Health
Physical Health
Bullying can effect physical health in lots of ways. Some people get headaches which distracts them especially at school. Some people get affected badly that it causes self harm. Victims blame them self so much the hurt themselves.
Mental Health
Bullying has a big effect on mental health. People who get bullied may feel alone, anxious, scared, miserable, powerless, ashamed, rejected, stressed or worried. Sometimes, if bullying gets out of hand, victims can have depression or anxiety.
Social Health
Social health can be effected by bullying. It can effect family, friends and relationships. Some victims feel so ashamed that they isolate themselves from everyone. They can end up ignore everyone and pity themselves.
Strategies for dealing with bullies
- Talk to others you can trust. Don't keep it to yourself
- Don't blame yourself. It's not your fault that you're being bullied
- Stay calm. Bullies want you to be upset, angry or stressed so fight back by staying calm
- Ignore the bully and if that doesn't work, tell them to stop and how you don't like it
Who can you talk to if your being bullied
- Talk to someone trustworthy like a friend or relative
- Talk to an adult. Make sure it's someone you can trust. Someone like a parent or teacher
- Talk to a counselor. Counselor's can help on what to do and they can keep things confidential unless it's serious that it could hurt someone
- If the problem is not that bad, talk to the bully. Don't tell them everything but maybe how you feel or ask why that person is bullying you. Sometimes it's better because it won't make it a big deal and you can both forget it. If the problem is pretty serious then talk to someone else.
You and Your Help
How you can help and support victims of bullying
- Talk to someone about what's happening. It's best to talk to an adult about the situation
- Don't be a by-stander. Help the victim stand up to the bully. If the bully is overpowered then he will feel weaker and would usually stop
- Be a friend to the victim. Just imagine if you were bullied. You'd want someone to be there to help you out
- Don't join the bully. He will then become stronger.
Be There for the Victim! Help and Support! Be a Friend!
Friends Theme Song by Säääsh
Recommended Websites
Youth Beyond Blue
Youth Beyond Blue is a website we highly recommend because it shows a guide or introduction to bullying, shows what you can do and how to help someone you know and you can get involved and help others.
Bullying.org
Bullying.org is a good website because you can share and submit your resources, you can help by donating, becoming a friend and taking courses, and you can find helpful resources like books, articles and multimedia.
Cyber Smart for Teens
Cyber Smart for Teens is a great website especially for cyber bullying. It goes into more detail of cyber bullying and how to deal with it. It has conversation page where you can give your opinions and has a online counselling for cyber bullying.