Bullying can mean many different things. Below are some ways that children and young people have described bullying:
- being called names
- being teased
- being pushed or pulled about
- having money and other possessions taken or messed about with
- having rumours spread about you
- being ignored and left out
- being hit, kicked or physically hurt in any way
- being threatened or intimidated
Bullying can also be part of other forms of abuse, including neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse.
If you are being bullied in person or online, then you might think that it's your fault. It isn't. No-one has the right to bully you. If you speak out about it, there are people who care - they will listen to you and help you.
Children Who Are Bullied
There are many signs that a child is being bullied. Some signs to look for:
- The child comes home with torn, damaged, or missing pieces of clothing, books or other belongings.
- The child has unexplained bruises, cuts or scratches.
- The child seems afraid of going to school, walking to and from school, riding the school bus or taking part in organized activities with peers.
- The child appears sad, moody, teary or depressed when he or she comes home.
- The child frequently appears anxious and/or suffers from low self-esteem.
If you suspect your child is being bullied, remember to support your child, inform others and take action.
Cyberbullying is when one person or a group of people try to threaten, tease or embarrass someone else by using a mobile phone or the internet. Cyberbullying is just as harmful as bullying in the real world. If you see it happening, report it. Don't ignore it.
There are lots of different types of cyberbullying. These are the main ones:
- Instant Messanger and Chat Rooms
- Social Networking sites
- Mobile Phones
- Interactive Gaming
Even though cyberbullying cannot physically hurt you, it can still leave you feeling mentally vulnerable and very upset. You can also feel scared, lonely and stressed and that there's no way out.