If you've been bullied, here are some reasons why the bully might be bullying you. They may think it will make them look popular or in charge or sometimes they do it to get attention. Also they may have low self esteem or they might feel bad about themselves or feel insecure, unimportant, pressured, and frustrated and take it out on other people. Maybe, they have seen someone they look up to bully someone else to get something they want, making the bully think that it's okay to bully. Also, they might have been bullied before. They might not have any friends, or they may be in a bully gang.
Different Types of Bullying
There are many types of bullying:
- Physical bullying -
- Hitting
- kicking
- pinching
- scratching
- spitting
- any other kind of physical attack
- Verbal bullying -
- name calling
- insulting someone with words
- making racist, sexist, or homophobic jokes or remarks
- Indirect bullying -
- spreading rumors,
- being made the subject of nasty rumors,
- exclusion from social groups,
- sending abusive mail
- sending threatening email and text messages
How Bullies Choose Their Targets
Do you know how bullies choose their targets?
Bullies choose people that are:
- Soft spoken, shy students that are unable to defend themselves.
- Kids that are not very popular.
- People of different color or that have disabilities.
- People that don't have many friends or are lonesome.
How to Stop a Bully
- Don't bully back - If you try to hurt the bully back that will only satisfy him/her and can cause the injury of someone. You are most likely to be the one injured because you never know what the bully is going to in return.
- Tell someone - Try to find an adult that you trust and will listen,
such as a teacher or parent. If one adult doesn't
seem to respond, find another
one who will!
- Stick with friends - Staying together in a group offers extra protection. Also, hearing someone comforting you is very up-lifting.
- Ignore the bully/walk away - Nothing makes bullies more frustrated then not getting a big reaction. It takes away their fun.
- Act brave - A bully is probably less likely to pick on you if you don't act scared.
- Stand up for yourself - Telling a bully to his/her face to stop and then walking away may stop the bully by surprise and give the bully a message.
