How to Prevent Bullying

By: Mykela C.

The different signs of bullying are someone calls you names, makes certain face gestures, and/or rude comments.

When you are in a situation where someone is teasing you or hurting you, no matter how old or young the bully might be, the key is to tell an adult you trust. Never fear a bully - stand up for yourself. Not by fighting but by having a voice to tell them how you feel.  Bullying can affect someone in different ways.

Most victims of bullying tend to lose sleep or feel sick. Many have the urge to want to skip school. Someone who is bullied may even have the thought of killing herself or himself.

If you feel like this get help immediately! Talk to a teacher, a Girl Scout adult or even call a hotline like the National Suicide Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK). Remember, you are NOT alone.

Here is some more info on bullying from the non-profit Make Beats Not Beat Downs.

Bullying can take many forms but it usually includes the following types of behavior:

• Physical – hitting, kicking, pinching, punching, scratching, spitting or any other form of physical attack. Damage to or taking someone else’s belongings may also constitute as physical bullying.

• Verbal – name calling, insulting, making racist, sexist or homophobic jokes, remarks or teasing, using sexually suggestive or abusive language, offensive remarks

• Indirect – spreading nasty stories about someone, exclusion from social groups, being made the subject of malicious rumors, sending abusive mail, and email and text messages (cyber bullying).

• Cyber Bullying - any type of bullying that is carried out by electronic medium. There are 7 types including:

1. Text message bullying
2. Picture/video clip bullying via mobile phone cameras
3. Phone call bullying via mobile phones
4. E-mail bullying
5. Chat-room bullying
6. Bullying through instant messaging (IM)
7. Bullying via websites

Contact the State Department of Education if you are not satisfied with your school administration’s response to your reports of bullying. Their Toll Free School Safety Hotline is 1- 877- SAY STOP.

Please get help.