Bullying

Bullying

Bullying is unwanted aggressive behavior by another person or group of people. In bullying, there is always an actual or perceived power imbalance, and the aggression is repeated multiple times or is highly likely to be repeated. Bullying also includes cyberbullying, a type of aggression that is carried out through electronic means, such as through the Internet, e-mail, or mobile devices. People of all ages can be bullied, and bullying may take place at home, school, or work. Because of cyberbullying, bullying can occur almost anywhere at any time.

About Bullying

Bullying is when a person or a group shows unwanted aggression toward another person. To be considered bullying, the behavior in question must be aggressive.2 The behavior must also involve an imbalance of power (e.g., physical strength, popularity, access to embarrassing details about a person) and be repetitive, meaning that it happens more than once or is highly likely to be repeated.

Bullying can be:

• Physical: punching, beating, kicking, or pushing; stealing, hiding, or damaging another person's belongings; forcing someone to do things against his or her will
• Verbal: teasing, calling names, or insulting another person; threatening another person with physical harm; spreading rumors or untrue statements about another person
• Relational: refusing to talk to someone or making them feel left out; encouraging other individuals to bully someone

Bullying also includes cyberbullying and workplace bullying.

• Cyberbullying has increased with the increased use of the social media sites, the Internet, e-mail, and mobile devices.3 Unlike more traditional bullying, cyberbullying can be more anonymous and can occur nearly constantly.3 A person can be cyberbullied day or night, such as when they are checking their e mail, using Facebook or another social network site, or even when they are using a mobile phone.
• Workplace bullying refers to adult behavior that is repeatedly aggressive and involves the use of power over another person at the workplace. Certain laws apply to adults in the workplace to help prevent such violence.

Who is affected and how many are at risk for bullying?

People of all ages can be bullied. Bullying may take place at home, school, or work.

• A 2013 survey from the National Center for Education Statistics found that bullying continues to affect many school-aged children1: Slightly more than 1 out of 5 students in middle and high school experienced “traditional” bullying at school during the 2012–2013 school year. Six percent of students ages 12 to 18 reported that they had been pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on during the school year. Of these students, 22% reported being injured in the event.
• The 2013 survey found that, during the same school year, 7% of students reported being cyberbullied.
• Data from the 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that about 20% of U.S. students in grades 9 through 12 experienced bullying on school property within the last year.

Bullying

What are common signs of being bullied?

Signs of bullying include:

• Depression, loneliness, or anxiety
• Low self-esteem
• Headaches, stomachaches, tiredness, or poor eating habits
• Missing school, disliking school, or having poorer school performance than previously
• Self-destructive behaviors, such as running away from home or inflicting harm on oneself
• Thinking about suicide or attempting to commit suicide
• Unexplained injuries
• Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

How does bullying affect health and well-being?

Bullying can affect physical and emotional health, both in the short term and later in life. It can lead to physical injury, social problems, emotional problems, and even death.1 Those who are bullied are at increased risk for mental health problems, headaches, and problems adjusting to school. Bullying also can cause long-term damage to self-esteem.

Children and adolescents who are bullies are at increased risk for substance use, academic problems, and violence to others later in life.

Those who are both bullies and victims of bullying suffer the most serious effects of bullying and are at greater risk for mental and behavioral problems than those who are only bullied or who are only bullies.

NICHD research studies show that anyone involved with bullying—those who bully others, those who are bullied, and those who bully and are bullied—are at increased risk for depression.

NICHD-funded research studies also found that unlike traditional forms of bullying, youth who are bullied electronically—such as by computer or cell phone—are at higher risk for depression than the youth who bully them.5 Even more surprising, the same studies found that cyber victims were at higher risk for depression than were cyberbullies or bully-victims (i.e., those who both bully others and are bullied themselves), which was not found in any other form of bullying.

What are risk factors for being bullied?

Those who are at risk of being bullied may have one or more risk factors:

• Are seen as different from their peers (e.g., overweight, underweight, wear their hair differently, wear different clothing or wear glasses, or come from a different race/ethnicity)
• Are seen as weak or not able to defend themselves
• Are depressed, anxious, or have low self-esteem
• Have few friends or are less popular
• Do not socialize well with others
• Suffer from an intellectual or developmental disability.

What can be done to help someone who is being bullied?

To help someone who is being bullied, support the person and address the bullying behavior. Other ways to help—including what to do if a person is in immediate danger—are listed below.

Support a child who is being bullied:

• You can listen to the child and let him or her know you are available to talk or even help. A child who is being bullied may struggle talking about it. Consider letting the child know there are other people who can talk with him or her about bullying. In addition, you might consider referring the child to a school counselor, psychologist, or other mental health specialist.
• Give the child advice about what he or she can do. You might want to include role-playing and acting out a bullying incident as you guide the child so that the child knows what to do in a real situation.
• Follow up with the child to show that you are committed to helping put a stop to the bullying.

Address the bullying behavior:

• Make sure a child whom you suspect or know is bullying knows what the problem behavior is and why it is not acceptable.
• Show kids that bullying is taken seriously. If you know someone is being a bully to someone else, tell the bully that bullying will not be tolerated. It is important, however, to demonstrate good behavior when speaking with a bully so that you serve as a role model of good interpersonal behavior.

The "Bullying: Be More Than a Bystander" resource, which includes a presentation and facilitator's guide, seeks to educate people about taking action against bullying. It suggests you can help someone who is being bullied in the following ways:

• Be a friend to the person who is being bullied, so they do not feel alone.
• Tell a trusted adult if you see someone being bullied.
• Help the person get away from the bullying without putting yourself at risk.
• Don't enable bullying by providing an audience.
• Set a good example by not bullying.

If you feel that you have taken all possible steps to prevent bullying and nothing has worked, or someone is in immediate danger, there are other ways for you to help.

The problem	What you can do
A crime has occurred or someone is at immediate risk of harm.	Call 911.
Someone is feeling hopeless, helpless, or thinking of suicide.	Contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This toll-free call goes to the nearest crisis center in a national network. These centers provide crisis counseling and mental health referrals.
Someone is acting differently, such as sad or anxious, having trouble completing tasks, or not taking care of themselves.	Find a local counselor or other mental health services.
A child is being bullied in school.	Contact the: Teacher School counselor School coach School principal School superintendent Board of Education
Child is being bullied after school on the playground or in the neighborhood	Neighborhood watch Playground security Team coach Local precinct/community police
The child's school is not addressing the bullying	Contact the: School superintendent Local Board of Education State Department of Education

Bullying Resources
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