Video Transcript:
What is Bullying
Stopbullying.gov defines bullying as the unwanted, aggressive
behavior among school aged children that involves a real or
perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has
the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied
and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.
Bullying Statistics
- 1 out of 4 kids will experience bullying sometime throughout
their adolescence
- 46 % males and 26% females have admitted to being victims
in physical fights
- 58% of kids never tell an adult when they've been the
victim of a bullying attack
Four Types of Bullying
- Verbal Bullying - saying or writing mean things (name
calling, taunting, threatening)
- Social Bullying - damaging someone's reputation (spreading
rumors, public embarrassment, telling others not to be friends
with someone)
- Physical Bullying - hurting someone physically (hitting,
kicking, pinching, pushing, tripping)
- Cyber Bullying - tormenting, threatening, harassing,
humiliating, embarrassing someone using the internet, interactive
and digital technologies or mobile phones. Cyberbullying
is the latest type of bullying.
The Effects of Bullying
Bullying, according to the Department of Health & Human Services,
doesn't only affect the child who is being bullied. There are
also harmful effects to the one who is bullying as well as bystanders.
Kids Who Are Bullied
are more likely to:
- experience negative physical, school, and mental health
issues
- experience depression and anxiety, increased feelings
of sadness and loneliness
- experience changes in sleep and eating patterns, and
loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy
- experience health issues
These things may persist into adulthood such as retaliating
through extremely violent measures. In 12 out of 15 school shooting
cases in the 90s, the shooters had history of being bullied
Kids Who Bully Other Kids
are more likely to:
- may likely abuse alcohol and other drugs later in adolescence
and adulthood
- get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of
school
- engage in early sexual activity
- have criminal convictions
- abuse romantic partners and their own children
Kids Who Witness Bullying
are more likely to:
- miss or skip school
- have increased use of tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs
- experience depression and anxiety
Bullying and Suicide
Although kids who are bullied are at risk of suicide, bullying
alone is not the cause. Many issues contribute to suicide risk,
including depression, problems at home, and trauma history.
What You Can Do to Prevent Bullying
Talk about bullying
- help kids understand bullying
- keep lines of communication open
- encourage kids to speak to an adult if they experience
being bullied, experience the urge to bully other kids or
witnessed bullying
Participate in the Campaign to Prevent Bullying
- help teachers and other parents to make school a safe
place for kids
- take part in creating policies and rules to prevent
bullying
- help in educating students and parents against bullying
3. Stop Bullying On the Spot
Get police help or medical attention immediately if
- A weapon is involved.
- There are threats of serious physical injury.
- There are threats of hate-motivated violence, such as
racism or homophobia.
- There is serious bodily harm.
- There is sexual abuse.
- Anyone is accused of an illegal act, such as robbery or extortion using force to get money, property, or services.
