Bullying is one of the worst types of abuse that any child can go through. Kids who are bullied tend to be perpetually scared, lonely, and prone to feeling hurt, sick, and embarrassed. Some of the tactics often used by bullies include kicking, hitting, violent pushing, and sometimes mean words intended to tease or scare the victim. Bullies also use threats to make their victims do things they wouldn't otherwise do.
Bullying is A Massive Problem
You may not see it in the news every week, but bullying is actually a big problem. Statistically, 75% of all kids report being bullied, teased, or made fun of in their interactions with other kids. The aftermath of this leaves the young victims feeling inadequate and stressed, which can subsequently make them sick.
Notably, kids who have been bullied may be reluctant to go to school. And even when they go, their minds may only be focused on how to deal with the bully.
Why Do Bullies Act That Way?
Most bullies are often driven by attention seeking tendencies - they see it as a way to gain popularity among their peers. Other bullies have an inferiority complex, hence they pick on weaker kids to feel powerful. In contrast, some bullies may have been victims of bullying before.
Kids who come from dysfunctional families, where violence is a daily occurrence, are also more likely to become bullies, as they may perceive violence as an ordinary act.
In most cases, bullies will pick on someone they consider weak or powerless. It could be the kid who gets upset fast or the tiny one who can't fight. Sometimes, however, they may just terrorize a random person for no particular reason.
How to Handle Bullying
Our advice on this depends on your situation. We have highlighted ways to prevent run-ins with bullies, as well as what to do if you get confronted by one.
1) Avoiding Conflicts With Bullies
- Avoid the bully as much as possible - Instead of skipping class, you may want to change your route home to avoid meeting them outside the safety of the class.
- Be Brave - Whenever you're in the presence of a bully, stand straight and act brave with a "don't mess with me" attitude.
- Change Your Attitude About Yourself - Too often, bullies capitalize on your lack of self-esteem. To overcome this, you may want to get more exercise, read more books, and watch less TV. Being fit and performing well in school will do wonders for your self-confidence.
2. If The Bully Pokes You
- Ignore Them - Pretend you didn't hear what they said about you and quickly walk away to a safe place.
- Stand up to the bully -Put on a brave face and say something like "Stop It!" as you walk away.
- Don't Show Your Feelings - Avoid getting visibly sad or upset in the bully's presence as it emboldens them.
- Talk to An Adult - If you have a run-in with a bully, confide in an adult, you trust and see how they can help you. It could be your teacher, school administration, parents, or older siblings. Sometimes all it takes to stop a bully are some stern words from an adult.
