Bullying - tips for students
Facts for Kids About Bullying
Bullying is being mean to another kid over and over again. Bullying often includes:
Teasing
Talking about hurting someone
Spreading rumors
Leaving kids out on purpose
Attacking someone by hitting them or yelling at them
Bullying does not always happen in person. Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens online or through text messages or emails. It includes posting rumors on sites like Facebook, sharing embarrassing pictures or videos, and making fake profiles or websites.
Bullying stops us from being who we want to be, and prevents us from expressing ourselves freely, and might even make us feel unsafe.
If you are bullied, say something! If you are bullying, it’s not cool!
I might be being bullied
SPEAK UP: If you feel uncomfortable with the comments or actions of someone… tell someone! It is better to let a trusted adult know, than to let the problem continue.
Get familiar with what bullying is and what it is not. If you recognize any of the descriptions, you should stay calm, stay respectful, and tell an adult as soon as possible.
If you feel like you are at risk of harming yourself or others get help now!
Someone is bullying me online or via text message
Remember, bullying does not only happen at school. It can happen anywhere, including through texting, the internet and social media.
Learn more about cyberbullying and how to respond if it is happening to you.
I don’t get bullied, but my friend does
Learn how you can be more than a bystander.
Kids Who are Bullied
Kids who are bullied can feel like they are:
Different, Powerless, Unpopular, Alone
Kids who are bullied have a hard time standing up for themselves. They think the kid who bullies them is more powerful than they are. Bullying can make them:
Sad, lonely, or nervous
Feel sick
Have problems at school
Bully other kids
Kids Who Bully Others
Kids bully others for many reasons, they may:
Want to copy their friends
Think bullying will help them fit in
Think they are better than the kid they are bullying
Those who bully use power to hurt people. Power does not always mean bigger or stronger. Power can also mean popular or smart. Or, the kid doing the bullying may know a secret about the kid being bullied.
Kids who bully can have other problems, too, even when they get older, like using alcohol and drugs, getting into fights, and dropping out of school.
Kids Who See Bullying
When kids see bullying, they may not know what to do. They may feel depressed or worried. They may be absent from school because they don’t feel safe. They may join in or stay silent so they won’t get bullied themselves. They may stand up to the bully. But the best thing to do is get an adult who will stop the bullying on the spot.