Someone who hurts your body and/or possessions.
Having someone say or write mean things about you.
Someone hurting your reputation or relationships you have with others.
Bullying using the Internet, cell phones, or other devices to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person.
Maybe you’re not sure if you’re really being bullied or if you are just making a big deal out of nothing. Here are some indications that what you are experiencing is bullying:
If you are being bullied, here are some ways you can get help and protect yourself and your friends from bullies.
Be prepared to tell them:
If you are afraid to talk about it, bring a friend with you for encouragement.
If you tell a grown-up but you are told to “stop complaining” or “don’t be a tattle tale,” then find another adult to talk to. Bullying is wrong and needs to be reported. In some states, bullying may also be a crime.
Replying to a bully electronically may actually make the bullying worse.
The bullying should also be reported to an Internet service provider or website moderator as well as to the police. In some states, cyberbullying can be a criminal offense.
Kids who bully like to pick on kids who are by themselves most of the time. Join clubs, sports teams or other activities in your school or community. Being with other kids will make you feel more confident and help build your social circle.
Bullies don’t expect their victims to stand up for themselves. Sometimes, it can be as simple as saying, “Stop bothering me” and then going on with what you are doing.
If you are afraid the bully will physically hurt you, do not confront them and get help.
If you suspect your child is being bullied, support your child, inform others and take action.
Pay attention to signs that your child is being bullied:
If necessary, talk to your child’s guidance counselor or another professional to help your child recover from it.
New Choices has a variety of subject matter for grades K-12, that we are willing and prepared to bring to the schools/organizations, in order to educate the students on the National Issues of Domestic Violence, Teen Dating Violence, Stalking, as well as Bullying. Contact us to learn more.
1 https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is- it/index.html
2 https://www.stopbullying.gov/media/facts/index.html#stats — 28% of U.S. students in grades 6–12 experienced bullying. 20% of U.S. students in grades 9–12 experienced bullying.15
9% of students in grades 6–12 experienced cyberbullying.2
15% of high school students (grades 9–12) were electronically bullied in the past year.16
However, 55.2% of LGBT students experienced cyberbullying.17
4 http://education.findlaw.com/student-conduct- and-discipline/specific- state-laws- against-bullying.html
5 http://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/cyber- bullying.html — Recently created cyber harassment statutes
may also provide an avenue for charging online bullies in some states. Nearly half of U.S. states include "cyberbullying" in their broader bullying laws (PDF), while most states also include either "cyberbullying" or "electronic harassment" as well. The nationwide trend is toward greater accountability for bullying in general, both in school and off campus, including criminal statutes.