What is bullying?
Bullying is the act of intentionally hurting another person, whether it be physically or emotionally.
The intent of a bully is to harm the person he or she is bullying. Typically this happens on multiple occasions and not as one single act. In order for such an act to be considered bullying, however, the parties must be unequal. For instance, two kids in a fist fight who are around the same size is not an incident of bullying – it is a mutual confrontation where neither person has a significant advantage. Bullying requires that one side has more power over the other.
What are the types of bullying?
Physical– Physically hurt someone or their property. Hitting, punching, kicking, pushing, stealing, stalking, inappropriate touching.
Verbal– Using words to emotionally hurt someone. Teasing, name-calling, mocking, threats, intimidation, coercion, and taunting. Can be sexist, racist, or homophobic in nature.
Social– Involving a collective group to cause the intended harm. Gossip, rumor spreading, embarrassment, alienation.
Cyber or Electronic – Using technology such as the internet and cell phones to emotionally harm someone. Harassing over instant message / email / social media, spreading rumors, creating cruel websites.
Does bullying differ between genders?
Yes, there are several differences. Boys tend to be physically aggressive while girls tend to attack emotionally. Boys will typically get into fights while girls usually bully each other directly or indirectly within social groups by spreading rumors and hurtful information about their victim.
What are the warning signs of bullying?
Children who are suffering the emotional effects of bullying tend to seem:
Depressed
Anxious
Concerned about safety
Aggressive
Insecure / Have low self-esteem
Less social than normal
Some other warnings include:
Substance abuse
Missing personal things
Spending time with younger friends
Frequent injuries and damage to clothing / property
Avoiding recess
Arriving to school late
Appearing to be alone at school
Losing sleep
Health complaints (headaches, stomach aches, etc.)
What are some typical characteristics of a bully?
Although these characteristics are typical, they do not necessarily decide if a child is a bully. He or she could have these characteristics and also be harmless.
However, some common signs that a child may be a bully include:
- Above average self-esteem
- Impulsive personalities
- Lack of empathy
- Tendency to break rules
- Positive attitude towards violence
- Considered “popular”
How prevalent is bullying now?
Statistics show that, generally, one out of three children are bullied at school, in the neighborhood, or online. One out of three children bully others
How can bullying be stopped?
It will be difficult. Bullies do not change easily. They care too much about their reputation in their peer group. They want to remain well-liked, and they believe that bullying maintains their popularity. It is their “reward”, so to speak. Bullies also feel rewarded when they get that sense of power. This power brings about dominance and esteem in their social group, which is fulfilling for them.
But stopping it is possible. To bring about change, the factors that make bullying such a consistent problem must be taken into account. The rewards of bullying must be thwarted, and bullies must be forced to see themselves differently. They must be aware of their aggression and its consequences to their peers.
There are hidden forces within peer groups that make bullies stay bullies and victims stay victims. Intervention must overcome these forces but will not work unless the rest of the group is involved.
What is HIB?
HIB stands for Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying.
Harassment: The act of intensely bothering another person through torment.
Intimidation: Forcing discouragement or deterrence through fear.
Bullying: The act of intentionally hurting another person, whether it be physically or emotionally.
HIB is where the name of this community, HIBhub, comes from. We pronounce it as “hib” (rhymes with “rib”) instead of sounding out the letters H, I and B.
Why do some students bully?
There can be many different reasons why some students feel inclined to bully others, and the following are some of the most common:
Need for power – Desire to be dominant and in control of others.
Enjoyment of hostility – Satisfaction with hurting people and causing suffering to others.
Rewards – Bullies are rewarded in some way when they bully, whether by money they stole, laughter from bystanders, or a higher social status.
Lack of discipline – Some parents do not or cannot assert standards or limits for their child’s behavior.
Lack of affection – Some parents may also not give their child the love and positivism he/she needs.
Exposure to violence – Bullies are more likely than other students to be victims of domestic violence. They are also more likely to have been overexposed and affected by violence on television, video games, and movies. Lastly, bullies are more likely to be involved in “power” sports, like boxing and wrestling.
Note that these are all simply trends and do not apply to all bullies.
How common is bullying?
The latest research has found that 17% of students reported having been bullied “sometimes” or more often during the school term, and 8% had been bullied at least once a week. 19% had bullied others “sometimes” or more often during the term, and 9% had bullied other students at least once a week.
What is the most common reason a student is bullied?
Although there is never a justifiable “reason” that a student is bullied, the most commonly reported “reason” is physical appearance and body size. 2 out of 5 teens report that they are bullied because of the way they look.
