What if I’m Being Bullied?

Bullying is no trivial matter. A large percent of the youth suicides reported in the national media appeared to involve bullying as a contributing factor.

 

What is bullying?

Bullying includes more than physical assaults. It can also involve the following.

• Verbal attacks. Making a person feel worthless, unwanted, and good-for-nothing.
• Social isolation. 
• Cyberbullying. With just a few keystrokes on a computer, you can ruin someone’s reputation or even his life. It sounds like an overstatement, but it can happen! Cyberbullying also includes sending harmful photos or text messages using a cell phone.

 

Why do people bully others?

These are some common reasons.

• They themselves have been bullied. So, they are so sick and tired of being mistreated by their peers that they began to bully others just to fit in. 
• They have poor role models. Many times young bullies treat other people the way they see their parents, older brothers and sisters, or other family members treat others.
• They act as if they are superior—and yet they’re insecure. Kids who bully have an air of superiority that is often a mask to cover up deep hurt and a feeling of inadequacy.

 

Who is most likely to be a target?

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  Loners. Some young people who lack social skills isolate themselves from others and become easy marks for bullies.
• Youths who are perceived as being different. Some youths are targeted by bullies because of their appearance, race, or religion or even because they have a disability—anything the bully can pick on.
• Youths who lack self-confidence. Bullies can detect those who think negatively of themselves. These are often the easiest targets, since they’re not likely to fight back.

 

What can you do if you’re bullied?

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  Don’t react. Bullies want to know that they’ve succeeded in making you feel bad about yourself, If you don’t react, they lose interest. (Yeah, i know what you are thinking "Its not easy)
• Don’t retaliate. Revenge will add to the problem, not solve it. 
• Don’t walk into trouble. To the extent possible, avoid people and situations where bullying may occur.
• Try an unexpected response. 
• Use humor. For example, if a bully asserts that you’re overweight, you could simply shrug your shoulders and say, “I guess I could lose a few pounds!”
• Walk away. Silence shows that you are mature and that you are stronger than the person harassing you, It demonstrates self-control—something the bully doesn’t have.
• Work on your self-confidence. Bullies notice when you aren’t relaxed, and they might use that to destroy whatever self-confidence you have.
• Tell someone. More than half of all victims who are bullied online don’t report what’s going on, possibly because of shame (especially for boys) or fear of retaliation. But remember, bullies thrive on secrecy. Speaking up can be the first step to ending the nightmare.

Bullying quiz

True or False

1. Bullying has been around for thousands of years.
2. Bullying is just harmless teasing. It’s not that serious.
3. The best way to stop a bully is to fight back.
4. If you’re being bullied, it’s your fault.
5. Some people who are bullied become bullies.
6. If you witness bullying, it’s best to ignore it.
7. Beneath the boastful talk, bullies are often insecure.
8. Bullies can change.

ANSWERS

1. True. For example, the Bible tells of the Nephilim—a group whose name means “Those Who Cause Others to Fall Down.” (You can read it yourself in the Bible —Genesis 6:4)
2. False. Bullying can be a life-and-death issue. Sadly, some who have been relentlessly bullied commit suicide.
3. False. Bullies are often physically stronger than their victims, making attempts at retaliation futile.
4. False. No one deserves to be bullied! The bully is fully responsible for his or her actions.
5. True. Sadly, some take their own frustration out on others by treating them the way that they have been treated.
6. False. There’s no such thing as an innocent bystander. If you see bullying and don’t say anything, you may become part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
7. True. Although some bullies have a big ego, many are insecure and put others down to make themselves feel better.
8. True. With intervention and help, bullies can change their thinking—and their behavior.