Are you a Bully?
If you bully others, You need to STOP NOW!
If you're not sure if what you're doing is really bullying, then here's a hint: If you are hurting or threatening others in some way and using your size, strength or popularity to do it ... you're probably bullying someone!
Hey - let's face it, hurting and making others feel bad is NEVER cool. Just admitting that you are doing things to harm others takes some guts. But that's not enough. Trying to find out what you should do to change the way you're acting ... now that's a step in the right direction! So check out these tips ... they'll help you to start treating others with the respect they deserve.
Signs that you are a Bully
Okay, time for the truth. Or at least time to consider if you have a confession to make! Have you ever bullied someone. Questions to ask yourself.
1. There's a boy or a girl (or maybe more than one) whom you've repeatedly shoved, or punched or physically pushed around in a mean way just because you felt like it.
2. You had someone else hurt someone you don't like.
3. You've spread a nasty rumor about someone, in conversation, in a note, or through email or instant messaging.
4. You and your friends have regularly kept one or more kids from hanging out or playing with you. Examples: at your lunch table at school, during sports or other activities, or activities that are a part of a club or other kind of group activity.
5. You've teased people in a mean way, calling them names, making fun of their appearance, or the way they talk or dress or act.
6. You've been part of a group that did any of these things - even if you only wanted to be part of the crowd.
All over the country, in all types of neighborhoods and schools, there are all types of young people who bully others. Bullying is serious business. It causes young people a lot of pain, and it can affect their ability to do well in school and their general happiness.
But it doesn't have to be that way. You can learn about better ways to treat your friends and acquaintances, as well as become part of the solution to this serious problem!
How do your actions affect others?
Think about what you're doing ... and how it affects others. If you think calling others names is really harmless, or if you think pushing, hitting or stealing from other kids is funny, you've forgotten what it feels like to be hurt yourself! Teasing, hitting, keeping others out of a group - all of these things harm someone. All of us have been hurt at one time or another and we all know how it feels - awful! So the next time you are about to bully someone:
Put yourself in their shoes
Think about how it must make them feel
And just don't do it
Talk to an adult. Making other people feel badly should never make you feel good. If it does, or if you're not really sure why you bully other kids, you need to talk to an adult about it. Even though you might think an adult won't understand, or that you'll get yourself into trouble, they can help! Whether it is your parent, a counselor, a teacher or another trusted grown-up, you should tell an adult how you've been acting so that they help you deal with it.
How can you stop bullying
When asked the question: "What threatens your safety and emotional health?" most kids say, teasing and bullying. Yet many adults, even your parents and teachers, may not realize how often you see or experience bullying at school and elsewhere. Often adults don't see bullying when it happens. And those adults who see it, and do nothing, may not understand that kids can be hurt by bullying.
Kids who are bullied day after day can feel helpless and alone. They may become too scared to report the bullying, fearing that adults won't believe them. Kids also worry that if the bullies find out they "tattled," the bullying may get worse. To protect kids who are bullied, parents and all adults must understand what bullying is, how harmful it can be, and the best ways to stop bullying behaviors.
School Policy about Bullying
Class Discussion: watch the following cartoon first:
STOP BULLYING NOW
1. What is the school’s policy on bullying?
2. What should you do if you are being bullied?
3. Are you a bully when you fight back?
4. What is the difference between bullying and teasing?
Be the solution to the problem, and stop bullying!
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