Bullying is 'the use of superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force them to do something.'
If you're being bullied you might feel anxious, depressed, lonely or insecure. It can stop you being able to concentrate in school and really knock your self esteem. Feel lonely and isolated, wanting avoid group activities. Feeling afraid to check your messages or looking at social media in case there’s another horrible message about you.
If you are start to think that maybe the insults and taunts are true? Wonder if it’s your own fault and you wish you could talk to someone but you are not sure what you would say?
If you ever start to feel that you are the problem. You're not. It is never your fault if your'e getting bullied nobody deserves to be treated in a cruel or harmful way
There are three types of bullying:
- Verbal bullying : saying or writing mean things :
- Teasing
- Name-calling
- Inappropriate comments
- Threatening to cause harm
- Social bullying : hurting someone’s reputation or relationships :
- Leaving someone out on purpose
- Telling other people not to be friends with then
- Spreading rumours about then
- Embarrassing someone in public
- Physical bullying : hurting a person’s body or possessions :
- Hitting/kicking/pinching
- Spitting
- Tripping/pushing
- Taking or breaking someone’s things
- Making mean or rude hand gestures
Research shows that about 25 percent of kids experience bullying, so if you’re being bullied you're not alone.
Our tips for dealing with bullies :
- Don’t blame yourself. It is not your fault. No matter what someone says or does, you should not be ashamed of who you are or what you feel.
- Get help. Talk to a parent, teacher, or counselor. Seeing a counselor or therapist does not mean there is something wrong with you, sometimes its just helpful to get your feelings out in the open.
- Deal with stress. Try to find ways to relieve stress, this can make you more resilient and less overwhelmed by bullying. Exercise, meditation, positive self-talk, muscle relaxation, and breathing exercises are all good ways to manage the stress from bullying.
- Walk away from the bully. Bullies want to know they have control over you, try not to react with anger or retaliate with physical force. If you walk away, ignore them, or calmly and assertively tell them you’re not interested in what they have to say, you’re demonstrating that you're in control.
- Protect yourself. If you can’t walk away and are being physically hurt, protect yourself so you can get away. Your safety is the first priority.
- Be proud of you. Despite what anyone says, there are so many amazing spicy and beautiful things about you. Keep those in mind instead of the messages you hear from bullies.