What is bullying?
Bullying behavior is when one or more students employ physical, emotional, or verbal abuse to make life miserable for another student. The abuse can take many forms from simple name calling to physical abuse to sexual harassment. Bullying behavior is defined by its intensity and duration and is distinguished by a pattern of repeated physical or psychological intimidation.
Let's take a closer look...
Research confirms that bullying causes serious consequences, as victims may suffer from low self-esteem, physical injuries, sleep difficulties, headaches, stomach issues, chronic pain, and increased stress and anxiety. And it can impact their academic potential. So, putting an end to the bullying and supporting bullied kids is critical.
What does bullying look like?
Bullying is not just physical. It also includes verbal, relational, and online cruelty. In relational bullying, kids use friendship--and the threat of taking their friendship away—to hurt others. Cyberbullying can be especially destructive because of how quickly and how widely cruel messages can spread.
Bully
Bullying is a form of aggressive behavior in which someone intentionally and repeatedly causes another person injury or discomfort.
Victim
The position of victim is characterized as the object of bullying behavior. Usually, the victim has done nothing deliberate to invite such negative attention. In extreme instances, a victim can exhibit bullying behaviors.
Bystander
Bystander behavior is typified by someone who "stands by" while bullying is taking place. Bystanders do not actively participate, but they are rarely neutral. Passive observing reaffirms the bullys power. On the other hand, bystanders have the greatest potential to turn the situation around.
Upstander
A person who speaks or acts in support of an individual or cause, particularly someone who intervenes on behalf of a person being attacked or bullied.