Bullying, by definition, is “the repeated intimidation of others by the real or threatened infliction of physical, verbal, written, electronically transmitted, or emotional abuse… [It] may include … verbal taunts, name-calling and put downs, including ethnically-based or gender-based verbal put downs…” Bullying is a very serious issue that billions of children have to deal with everyday. Teens, young kids and even toddlers are being teased, ridiculed and put down constantly. They have to endure this pain at home, at school and at social events. These victims are even being bullied within the comfort of thier own homes; via text messages and the internet.

Bullying is a very important issue. In 2002, forty-one school shooters were interviewed and two thirds of those shooters were motivated by years of bullying and taunting in school . Adults feel as though bullying is a normal part of life and that it is unavoidable. They do not realize that bullying when they were kids and bullying in today’s schools are two different degrees of bullying. In these times, bullying is more brutal than it was ten to fifteen years ago. Sometimes, the results of constant bullying could end up fatal.

Bullying happens everywhere. It is most common in situations where there is minimal adult supervision. Playgrounds, bathrooms and locker rooms are popular places that bullying occurs. Forty three percent of all harassments in schools occur in the bathroom. Playgrounds are also very popular settings for bullying. Every seven minutes, a child is bullied on the playground . Bus stops are also bully-prone sitesand students become very vulnerable there. Students are very vulnerable at their bus stops as they are usually unsupervised.

The American Justice Department has stated that one out of every four young people is bullied and one out of every five students claimed to have been a type of bully to their peers. Seventy seven percent of all students have been bullied mentally, physically and verbally. Eight percent of young people have missed one day out of every month of school to avoid being bullied .

Student victims of bullying retaliate in many different ways. They may resort to positive outlets to take their minds off of their pain. These outlets include journaling, church groups and hobbies. Most students, unfortunately, turn to more violent and self-destructive outlets to make them feel better about themselves. Victims turn to isolation, bullying, self-mutilation and gang violence.
A lot of students that are bullied over a long period of time seek revenge. This revenge can include death threats and school bombings. A very popular case of this revenge is the case in Columbine High School. Twelve students and one teacher were killed. Twenty-three others were wounded and the perpetrators killed themselves. Their peers constantly tormented them and they turn to retaliation since they believe it can get rid of the problem.