BULLYING.
Some people may call it harassment, abuse, meanness or drama. However, bullying is labelled, it’s always considered to be harmful and unwanted behaviour. Bullying is done on purpose and is usually repeated.
Bullying is when someone uses their power to hurt, frighten, exclude or insult someone else. Bullying often occurs between people close in age and is never OK. Bullying can be a difficult experience, but it’s important to remember that you’re not alone.
Types of bullying
Bullying can affect a person’s feelings, relationships, self-esteem and sense of safety. It can also make people feel uncomfortable in everyday situations at home, work or school. Bullying can come in many different forms including:
Physical bullying: harassing someone by hitting, shoving, tripping or any other use of physical force.
Emotional or psychological bullying: harassing someone with verbal attacks, hurtful comments, name-calling or teasing.
Cyberbullying: harassing someone over social media, text, email, websites and other digital channels.
Social bullying: harassing someone by excluding them, spreading rumours or giving them “the silent treatment.”
Discriminatory bullying: harassing someone based on sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender identity, religion or anything else perceived as making them “different.”
Why do people bully others?
There are lots of reasons why someone might bully others. Whatever the reason, bullying is never ok.
Someone who bullies another person might:
• Feel jealous
• Want others to like them
• Want to feel better about themselves
• Want to fit in with their friends
• Feel angry inside
• Like to be in control or have power over others
• Have been bullied themselves
• Not know what they're doing is wrong
How to Prevent Bullying
Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can:
• Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help.
• Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.
• Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behavior.
• Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.
• Encourage kids to speak to a trusted adult if they are bullied or see others being bullied. The adult can give comfort, support, and advice, even if they can’t solve the problem directly. Encourage the child to report bullying if it happens.
• Talk about how to stand up to kids who bully. Give tips, like using humor and saying “stop” directly and confidently. Talk about what to do if those actions don’t work, like walking away
• Talk about strategies for staying safe, such as staying near adults or groups of other kids.
• Urge them to help kids who are bullied by showing kindness or getting help.
Dr Anshul Mahajan
Consultant psychiatrist