Bullying

 

Bullying can encompass a wide variety of behaviors, from physical intimidation to teasing to online harassment.  The crucial elements of bullying behavior is that it hurts another person physically or emotionally, the person being bullied has a hard time stopping the behaviors or defending herself, and there is an imbalance of power between the bully and the person being bullied.   If you or someone that you love is being bullied, Blackburn Center may be able to help. Please do not hesitate to call us at 1-888-832-2272.

 

Facts About Bullying

 

Bullying is 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. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

 

There are many roles that kids can play. Kids can bully others, they can be bullied, or they may witness bullying. When kids are involved in bullying, they often play more than one role. It is important to understand the multiple roles kids play in order to effectively prevent and respond to bullying.

 

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.

 

Kids who are being cyberbullied are often bullied in person as well. Additionally, kids who are cyberbullied have a harder time getting away from the behavior.

 

    • Cyberbullying can happen 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and reach a kid even when he or she is alone. It can happen any time of the day or night.

    • Cyberbullying messages and images can be posted anonymously and distributed quickly to a very wide audience.  It can be difficult and sometimes impossible to trace the source.

    • Deleting inappropriate or harassing messages, texts, and pictures is extremely difficult after they have been posted or sent.

 

Kids who are cyberbullied are more likely to:

    • Use alcohol and drugs

    • Skip school

    • Experience in-person bullying

    • Be unwilling to attend school

    • Receive poor grades

    • Have lower self-esteem

    • Have more health problems

 

 

Source:  StopBullying.gov

 

For more resources on bullying, please click here.

 

More about Types of Abuse:

 

Domestic Violence

Sexual Assault

Children and Abuse

Teen Issues

Elder Abuse

LGBTQ Issues

Sexual Harrasment

Stalking

Trafficking