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What is Bullying?

Bullying is intentional aggressive behavior involving an imbalance of power. Bullying is a form of violence.

  • Bullying may be physical such as hitting, kicking, spitting, and pushing
  • It could be verbal (taunting, malicious teasing, name calling, making fun of physical traits, threatening), or emotional (spreading rumors, manipulating social relationships, extorting, or intimidating).
  • Bullying can occur face-to-face or in the online world.

Girls who bully are more likely to do so in emotional ways. Boys bully often more in physical and verbal ways.

What is cyber bullying?

  • Cyber bullying or online bullying is a term used to refer to bullying over electronic media.
  • Cyber bullying can be as simple as continuing to send e-mail to someone who has said they want no further contact
  • but it can also include threats, “putdowns” or publish the personal contact information and pictures of their victims.

Why is it important to stop bullying?

  • Bullying is a serious problem for all children involved. It can involve children of any age.
  • Bullying behavior is frequently repeated unless there is intervention.
  • Kids who are bullied are more likely to feel bad about themselves and be depressed.
  • They may fear or lose interest in going to school.
  • There have been instances when bullied children have taken extreme measures, which can lead to tragic results.
  • Kids who bully others are more likely to drop out of school, have drug and alcohol problems, and break the law.

If a child has been bullied how should a prent handle it?

  • First make sure to listen to their child and what they have to say.
  • Tell them you will immediately deal with this problem.
  • Explain to them that they have the right to be respected and not to be bullied! He or she is not at fault, and the bully’s behavior is the problem.
  • Bullying most often occurs in school, where students are not well supervised. If bullying is happening at your child’s school, immediately talk to an administrator. All schools should have a zero tolerance for bullying.

What can be done to prevent bullying?

  • It is always important for parents to talk about bullying -not just after it has occurred.
  • Discuss bullying behavior and how hurtful it can be to others even if they are not your friends. Makes sure as a parent that you are modeling basic manners and respect for family, friends and even strangers.
  • As a parent, you can help your child get involved in new hobbies or groups. Being part of a group can help reduce bullying. Research shows that children with good self-esteem and social skills are less likely to be bullied.
  • What can kids do?
  • Kids can help keep other kids from being bullied.
  • Tell your child, if someone sends you a mean email about another person, don’t forward it to others. Print it out and show it to an adult.
  • If you are a kid, don’t let yourself be part of the problem. Speak up when you see someone else being picked on. It can help to say something like, “Cut it out. That’s not funny.” If this is too hard or scary to do, walk away and tell an adult.

Because bullying has detrimental effects, we encourage parents to talk to a psychologist if their child has been bulled and has suffered emotional consequences.

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