Bullying and Cyberbullying for Students
What is bullying?
Are you being bullied?
Anyone can experience bullying at school, in the community, or even at home if you are on social media, email, or text. However, it is never okay to bully or be bullied. Bullying results in a person feeling afraid or harmed. Bullying can look different depending on the situation and may be hard to recognize. This link provides a great checklist to recognize if you are being bullied.
Do you bully?
Sometimes it is difficult to notice that one’s own behavior causes harm, embarrassment or shame to someone else. In some situations, it is difficult to take a close look at your own behavior and how it affects others but it is very important to know what impact you have on others feelings. It is important to know that you can change your behavior and be more kind and understanding of others. This link provides a checklist and other factors to help you recognize if you bully.
Can someone be bullied and also bully others?
It is possible for those who are or have been bullied to be a bully to others. For instance, you may have been bullied on the bus and then be unkind to someone on the playground later that day. Anyone is capable of both behaviors in any situation. It is important for you to learn to recognize your own behavior and what happens after your actions. Was someone physically harmed? Did they leave in tears? Did the child withdraw or appear fearful to be around you?
Here are some resources that can help you understand this. Also, it is important to talk with a teacher, school counselor, school social worker and/or your family to get support in changing your behavior.
4. Should I tell someone?
It is important for you to know that you are not alone if you are being bullied. You have other students and adults who can be there to support you. Reporting bullying is not “snitching” or “tattling”. Reporting is necessary to keep you and everyone else safe and free from harm. If you have an adult such as the school counselor, school social worker, or teacher ask them for help. You can always report bullying and cyberbullying through the Say Something app on the schools’ webpage.
Sometimes bullying is not reported to adults due the reasons listed below. However, bullying often gets worse if the adults around you do not know and try to intervene. Your report is part of being an advocate for yourself and others. The school can work with you and your families to develop a plan that can make the situation better.
Reasons Why Youth May Not Tell An Adult and Bullying/Cyberbullying (The National Center for Bullying Prevention)
They have been told to ignore it in previous incidents. This is often well intentioned but not a helpful response.
They think they should be able to fix it on their own. Kids may see the situation as something as a response to something they said or did.
They are concerned that their parents or teachers will contact the other child’s parents and make the bullying worse. It is important for parents to be supportive and not judge the behavior. Work with your child’s counselor or school personnel to plan a response to the bullying.
They don’t want their phone or computer taken away. Remember it is the bullying that is the problem and not the device.
They do not want anyone to worry. There is a perception that parents and teachers are involved with more important things.
The situation is too personal and may involve their own behavior that could get them into trouble. Kids may have shared an inappropriate post, been influenced to do things in social situations their parents would not approve of, or just innocently posted something funny or sarcastic that was misunderstood.
Resources for Students:
Become an advocate for yourself or others: Pacer Center: Teens Against Bullying
If your behavior may be considered bullying: If your behavior may be considered bullying
Resources for Teens: What can I do