How to deal with a bully

What do you do if you’re being bullied? How can you stand up for yourself as a witness or bystander? What should schools do to combat bullying? Find out all the information that you need in this article!

Types of Bullying

There are many different types of bullying that can occur, both in-person and online. Some common types of bullying include:

1. Physical bullying: This involves physical violence or threats of violence. It can include hitting, kicking, shoving, spitting, or any other type of physical attack.
2. Verbal bullying: This involves making hurtful or threatening comments to another person. It can include name-calling, insults, and gossip.
3. Social bullying: This involves hurting someone’s social reputation or relationships. It can include rumor spreading, exclusion from groups, and public humiliation.
4. Cyberbullying: This occurs when someone uses technology to bully others. It can include posting mean comments or threats online, spreading rumors through email or text messages, or creating a fake profile to embarrass someone.

Signs That a Child Is Being Bullied

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to be aware of the signs that your child may be being bullied. While every child is different, and there are no guarantees, there are some common signs that may indicate that your child is being bullied. If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to talk to them about it and see what’s going on.

Your child may start to avoid school or certain activities they used to enjoy. They may also start having trouble sleeping or have nightmares. If you notice a sudden change in your child’s behavior, it could be a sign that something is wrong.

Your child may become withdrawn and stop talking to you about their day. They may seem sad or depressed, and may not want to participate in activities they used to enjoy. This can be a sign that they’re being bullied and feeling isolated.

Your child may start having physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches, even if there’s no apparent medical reason. This can be a sign that they’re feeling anxious or stressed due to bullying.

If you notice any of these signs in your child, it’s important to talk to them about it.

How to deal with a bully

No one deserves to be bullied. Unfortunately, bullying is something that happens to a lot of people, both kids and adults. If you’re being bullied, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and there are things you can do to combat it. However, always remember that the best course of action will vary depending on the situation.

Here are some tips on how to deal with a bully.

• Talk to an adult. This is often the best option, as they can help you resolve the issue and protect you from further harm. Don’t shy away from sharing the truth with your parents, teachers, or someone older to whom you can confide. Often, adults can deal with bullying without the bully ever learning how they found out about it. Don’t suffer in silence. Speak Up.

• Ignore the bully. In many cases, bullies are looking for a reaction from their victims. By ignoring them, you can take away their power and make them eventually give up.

• Stick with friends. Bullies often target those who are alone or who seem weaker than others. By sticking with friends, you can protect yourself and make it more difficult for bullies to single you out.

• Be confident. One of the best ways to combat bullying is to project confidence, even if you don’t feel confident within. Practice responding to the bully either vocally or via your actions. Make an effort to feel good about yourself (even if you have to fake it at first).

• Keep your head high and walk tall. This style of body language communicates that you aren’t vulnerable.

If you’re someone who’s being bullied talk to the people you trust. Don’t suffer in silence.

What are the research on bullying?

Bullying and cyberbullying of children and teenagers is at an all-time high. Some children have gotten so distressed that they have considered suicide. Bullying affects not just the children who are bullied, but also their parents, teachers, and others who may be unaware of the severity of the situation.

Here’s some study on bullying to help you grasp the seriousness of the situation.

• 1 out of 4 teens are Bullied.
• 5.4 million students stay home on any given day because they’re afraid of being bullied.
• 1 out of 5 kids admits to being a bully, or doing some “Bullying.”
• 43% fear harassment in the bathroom at school.
• A poll of teens ages 12-17 proved that they think violence increased at their schools.
• 80% of the time, an argument with a bully will end up in a physical fight.
• 1/3 of students surveyed said they heard another student threaten to kill someone.
• 2 out of 3 say they know how to make a bomb, or know where to get the information to do it.
• Playground statistics – Every 7 minutes a child is bullied. Adult intervention -4% Peer intervention – 11%. No intervention –   85%.

Source: https://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/youthviolence/index.html

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