The general conception of a bully is someone who is already dealing with a lot of trauma, issues and similar things in their own lives - and use this frustration to take it out on others than themselves. Or sometimes it's simply a show of power where if they pick on you, they are most likely the one to receive the attention of the other children/people for doing so, thus making them "popular". And seeing as that can easily spread to other individuals who want to be "popular" themselves all you need to do is be like the popular kids themselves - bully others and receive praise from them.

“Socially dominant bullies want to be the leader of the crowd,” “And the way that they do that is to push kids down the hierarchy.” - Dorothy Espelage, a professor of education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to BBC

Recent research however show different findings from earlier years, stating that bullying has evolved into something different than hierarchy and power display. With the online world becoming more merged into our daily lives with smart phones, tablets and online jobs and social platforms - many bullies would continue the harassment of the victim online after seeing each other in person. They would even prefer to do the bullying through online platforms as not only can you choose to do it anonymously, but you would also receive more of the "fake fame" as it is viewable from a way larger audience than just the children/people around you when it happens in the real world.

Physical Bullying

This is the most common type of bullying - and usually the one people think of when you talk/mention the word "bullying". Physical bullying is also the most obvious way to tell if someone is being bullied seeing as it is a physical act towards someone, like punching, slapping, shoving or kicking.

These bullies tend to be bigger, stronger and more aggressive than other bullies.

Sexual bullying

Sexual bullying entails repeated harmful, humiliating actions that targets a person sexually.

• Sexual name calling

• Vulgar gestures

• Uninvited touching

• Sexual propositioning

• Pornographic materials

Girls are usually the ones targeted by this kind of bullying, both by other girls and boys. The girls tend to use verbal slurs like "slut" and body shaming - whilst boys tend to be more physical like with touching.

Sexting can be another example of this kind of bullying - the couple in a relationship can be sexting and sending sexual images/videos to each other whilst dating, but when they break up one of them (usually the boys) will spread this content online. This leads to public body shaming online.

Verbal bullying

This kind of bullying seem to be way more common today, thanks to the internet, but entails things like - name calling, statements and words to gain control over their victim. They tend to choose their targets depending on how they behave, look and act, and also often tend to target people with special needs.

• Will often occur without adults present

• Often told to "ignore them"

• When mentioned it is one person's word again another

Research has proven that verbal abuse can leave deep emotional scars and should be taken seriously rather than just be brushed off.

Relational bullying

This is a sneaky and insidious type of bullying, that is also often referred to as "emotional bullying". Girls tend to use this method of bullying more often than boys. They will;

• Spread rumours

• Manipulate situations

• Break their confidence

To break their social standing and increase their own standing. Person on the receiving end of relational aggression is likely to be teased, insulted, ignored, excluded and intimidated.

• Gaslighting - It's the act of manipulating a person by forcing them to question their thoughts, memories, and the events occurring around them. A victim of gaslighting can be pushed so far that they question their own sanity.

Cyber bullying

When someone using an online platform, smartphone or other type of technology to harass, threaten or embarrass another person.

• If there is an adult involved in this kind of bullying it becomes "cyber harassment" or "cyber stalking" instead.

• Post harmful images

• Online threats

• Sending hurtful comments, texts and e-mails

This type of bullying is becoming a more and more of a growing issue as teens and kids nowadays are constantly online and "plugged in", and due to the fact that most social media sites offer you to change your name and give yourself a "nickname" it gives the bully "anonymity". It is easier for the bully to perform this kind of bullying because it is not happening "in real life" and thus they become more detached from the situation and care less. To the victim this will feel never-ending cycle and an invasive.

Prejudicial bullying

Based on prejudices people have towards people of different races, religion or sexual orientation. This type of bullying will encompass all other kinds of bullying as they target everyone who is different to themselves and single them out. Very often this can become very severe and will open the door to hate crimes.