‘Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you’ We all know that this is not true, and bullying can have a huge effect on us. It happens everywhere, and, according to Childline, half of us experience being bullied at some point during our school lives.

Bullying is repeated deliberate harassment done in a way that makes it difficult for the person being bullied to defend him/herself. Remember, it is the behaviour of the person who is doing the bullying that is wrong NOT the victim.

Cyber Bullying

How Does It Work?

Cyber bullying is when one child targets another child using interactive technologies. The following are examples of cyber bullying:

• Text\Video Messaging - Do not reply to any text/video messaging that is abusive. You should be able to call your service provider, such as Orange, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile or Vodafone in order to report these messages. Remember not to give out your phone number to anyone you do not know and try not to leave your mobile lying around
• Instant Messaging/Chat Rooms - NEVER give out personal information, do not give your real name or age. Ensure you think about what you write, you do not want people to get the wrong idea about you. If someone posts something abusive ignore it or log off the computer - take time out
• Email -  If you receive some sort of rude/abusive email and you think you know who it is from, do not react and do not write back. This is what the 'bully' is wanting - a reaction. It is exactly like what happens at school or at youth groups, the bully will want a reaction from you. Ignore it and print it out for possible evidence to show your parents if it keeps happening
• Web - If cyber bullying is happening on your school or community website, you must make sure that you tell your teacher and or your parents. If someone writes something about you or puts up a picture and writes a negative comment, that would be considered bullying as well, you must ensure that you speak to someone about it immediately

Cyber bullying is one of the fastest growing issues facing the community today. There are articles in the newspapers daily relating to cyber bullying in the school yard, in the home and in the streets.  Be aware of your activities online and be aware of who has your mobile number and what sort of information you may give out to people through the web.

To learn more about cyber bullying click on: http://www.stopcyberbullying.org 

Following are examples of different types of bullying:

verbal bullying

• Teasing
• Name calling
• Sarcasm
• Ignoring someone on a long term basis.
• Sexism, racism, homophobia.

indirect / emotional bullying

• Spreading untrue rumours or gossip about you
• Getting you into trouble for no real reason
• Excluding you.
• Sending you hurtful messages via text or email, including ‘happy slapping’.

physical bullying

• Taking your money or possessions.
• Pushing, hitting, kicking and punching.

what to do if you are bullying someone...

• You have the choice whether to bully someone or not. It doesn’t matter what you have done in the past, you do not need to continue
• You can get in serious trouble for bullying by parents, teachers and, in extreme cases, the police.
• Sometimes things happen that make you more likely to bully others e.g. being bullied, family stress. Make sure you talk about these issues and get help, rather than taking your frustration out on others.
• Think about how your victim is feeling.
• Don’t be weak and carry on bullying, be strong and change your behaviour.

what to do if you witness bullying...

• Don’t ignore it, if you do it means you are ok with it.
• Let the victim know that you saw and are going to try and help
• Encourage the victim to tell someone
• Be friendly - a lot of people that are bullied need good friends.
• Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

what to do if you are being bullied...

TO PREVENT THE EVENT
• If you meet bullies regularly on your journey to or from school vary the time you leave home so you may miss them.
• Try to travel home with friends.
• On public transport sit near the driver
• Make sure you have some good true friends to hang out with
• Try to stay in a safe place during breaks, bullies do not like witnesses.
• Be careful who you give your mobile phone number to.
• Find out about our Streetwise courses

AT THE TIME
• Stand upright and boldly so you send out messages of confidence. You may not feel confident but you will look it.
• Be firm and clear! Look the bully in the eye and tell them to stop.
• Simply say ‘yeah...whatever…’so that you show them it isn’t having the effect of upsetting you.
• Don’t retaliate and play their game, you may also get in trouble yourself.
• Remember that possessions can be replaced, you can’t!

AFTER THE EVENT
• Telling an adult (teacher, parent, cousin, grandparent) is the most important step to STOP bullying.
• If you find it difficult talking to an adult you can always write down what happened, or ask a friend to come with you
• Find out what your school anti-bullying policy is.
• Keep a written note of all incidents to keep track of them.
• Even if you think that you have solved the situation by yourself be sure to tell an adult anyway.
• Every day you go to school you are beating the bullies. You are showing them that you have as much right to be there as they do.
• If you talk to someone and it doesn’t help, don’t give up. Speak to someone else.