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Thursday, October 6, 2011

Bullying- what is it? how can I be more aware and help stop it!

Bullying, what is it, and what do we look for,how do we get help? October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and we here at Ed4Ed4all would like to give you the information to help you be more aware of this problem that seems to be spreading like a virus and affecting our children all over the world.

Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through, it is not "just messing around", and it is not something to grow out of. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm.
Although definitions of bullying vary, most agree that bullying involves:

  • Imbalance of Power: people who bully use their power to control or harm and the people being bullied have a hard time defending themselves
  • Intent to Cause Harm: actions done by accident are not bullying; the person bullying has a goal to cause harm
  • Repetition: incidents of bullying happen to the same the person over and over by the same person or group
Types of Bullying:
Bullying can take many forms. Examples include:

  • Verbal: name-calling, teasing
  • Social: spreading rumors, leaving people out on purpose, breaking up friendships
  • Physical: hitting, punching, shoving
  • Cyberbullying: using the Internet, mobile phones or other digital technologies to harm others
An act of bullying may fit into more than one of these groups.

There are many warning signs that could indicate that someone is involved in bullying, either by bullying others or by being bullied. However, these warning signs may indicate other issues or problems as well. If you are a parent or educator, learn more about talking to someone about bullying.
 
Signs and Symptoms of Being Bullied
  • Comes home with damaged or missing clothing or other belongings
  • Reports losing items such as books, electronics, clothing, or jewelry
  • Has unexplained injuries
  • Complains frequently of headaches, stomachaches, or feeling sick
  • Has trouble sleeping or has frequent bad dreams
  • Has changes in eating habits
  • Hurts themselves
  • Is very hungry after school from not eating lunch
  • Runs away from home
  • Loses interest in visiting or talking with friends
  • Is afraid of going to school or other activities with peers
  • Loses interest in school work or begins to do poorly in school
  • Appears sad, moody, angry, anxious or depressed when they come home
  • Talks about suicide
  • Feels helpless
  • Oftens feel like they are not good enough
  • Blames themselves for their problems
  • Suddenly has fewer friends
  • Avoids certain places
  • Acts differently than usual
Bullying Others
  • Becomes violent with others
  • Gets into physical or verbal fights with others
  • Gets sent to the principal’s office or detention a lot
  • Has extra money or new belongings that can’t be explained
  • Is quick to blame others
  • Will not accept responsibility for their actions
  • Has friends who bully others
  • Needs to win or be best at everything

There are things you can do to stop the bullying. Visit pages that apply directly to you:

If you are a parent or guardian, talk to the school administration or the adult that supervises your child’s community activities.
Parents: What to Do When Bullying Continues or Gets Worse If the bullying gets worse and you need additional help, consider the following if:

Scenario Solution
Someone is at immediate risk of harm because of bullying. Contact the police (911)
Your child is feeling suicidal because of bullying. Contact the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Your child’s teacher is not keeping him/her safe from being bullied. Contact the Local School Administrator (principal or superintendent)
Your school is not keeping your child safe from being bullied. Contact the State School Department
Your child is sick, stressed, not sleeping, or is having other problems because of bullying Contact your counselor or other health professional
Your child is being bullied because of their race, ethnicity, or disability, and local help is not working to solve the problem. Contact the U.S. Department of Education’s Office on Civil Rights
Please note that though the Federal Departments of Health and Human Services and Education care deeply about bullying, they are limited in their ability to intervene in specific cases; bullying and other discipline policies and laws are set at the state and local levels.

What is Cyberbullying??
Cyberbullying, instead of happening face-to-face, happens through the use of technology such as computers, cell phones and other electronic devices. Cyberbullying peaks around the end of middle school and the beginning of high school.
Examples of cyberbullying include:
  • Sending hurtful, rude, or mean text messages to others
  • Spreading rumors or lies about others by e-mail or on social networks
  • Creating websites, videos or social media profiles that embarrass, humiliate, or make fun of others
Bullying online is very different from face-to-face bullying because messages and images can be:
  • Sent 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year
  • Shared to a very wide audience
  • Sent anonymously.
 LGBT bullying :

 If you experience bullying or violence for ANY reason, YOU have a right to:
  • Live your life free from fear
  • Be safe and protected
  • A supportive home, community and/or school environment
  • Thrive physically, psychologically, socially and academically
If you experience bullying or violence because you are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT), or others think you are LGBT, remember that YOU:
  • Matter and have a place in the world
  • Are NOT alone - help and support is only a phone call away.
  • Can be proud of who you are.
LGBT bullying has the same warning signs and effects as other forms of bullying. 

Risk Factors of LGBT Bullying

Young LGBT people may be more at-risk for bullying. Compared to their heterosexual peers, some LGBT kids, teens and young adults are at increased risk for bullying, teasing, harassment, physical assault, and suicide-related behaviors.
Over a ten-year period more than 7,000 LGBT middle and high school students (aged 13-21), were surveyed. The results were published in The 2009 National School Climate Survey. The survey found that in the preceding year, because of their sexual orientation:
  • Eight in ten LGBT students had been verbally harassed at school
  • Four in ten had been physically harassed at school
  • Six in ten felt unsafe at school
  • One in five had been the victim of a physical assault at school
Unfortunately, these types of experiences with violence also occur outside of school and may continue into young adulthood.
Young LGBT people may be more at-risk for sexual discrimination and bias. Young LGBT individuals may be bullied as a part of sexual/gender discrimination and bias by their schoolmates, ethnic or religious groups or by other societal concerns related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Effects of Bullying

Bullying has serious and lasting effects.  While these effects may also be caused by other factors, research has found bullying has significant effects for those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying.

People Who are Bullied:

  • Have higher risk of depression and anxiety, including the following symptoms, that may persist into adulthood:
    • Increased feelings of sadness and loneliness
    • Changes in sleep and eating patterns
    • Loss of interest in activities
  • Have increased thoughts about suicide that may persist into adulthood.  In one study, adults who recalled being bullied in youth were 3 times more likely to have suicidal thoughts or inclinations.
  • Are more likely to have health complaints.  In one study, being bullied was associated with physical health status 3 years later.
  • Have decreased academic achievement (GPA and standardized test scores) and school participation.
  • Are more likely to miss, skip, or drop out of school.
  • Are more likely to retaliate through extremely violent measures. In 12 of 15 school shooting cases in the 1990s, the shooters had a history of being bullied.

People Who Bully Others:

  • Have a higher risk of abusing alcohol and other drugs in adolescence and as adults.
  • Are more likely to get into fights, vandalize property, and drop out of school.
  • Are more likely to engage in early sexual activity.
  • Are more likely to have criminal convictions and traffic citations as adults.  In one study, 60% of boys who bullied others in middle school had a criminal conviction by age 24.
  • Are more likely to be abusive toward their romantic partners, spouses or children as adults.

People Who Witness Bullying:

  • Have increased use of tobacco, alcohol or other drugs.
  • Have increased mental health problems, including depression and anxiety.
  • Are more likely to miss or skip school.

Information from the Stop Bullying.gov website visit for more information, credit due to stopbullying.gov for the great info 


Online Resources for more info:

LGBT Resources

Evidence-Based Programs

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