STOP! Bullying NOW! The Power of One

Facts About Bullying

Bullying is being mean to another kid over and over again. Bullying often includes:

Bullying does not always happen in person. Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens online or through text messages or emails. It includes posting rumors on sites like Facebook, sharing embarrassing pictures or videos, and making fake profiles or websites.

• Kids Who are Bullied
• Kids Who Bully Others
• Kids Who See Bullying

Kids Who are Bullied

Kids who are bullied can feel like they are:

• Different
• Powerless
• Unpopular
• Alone

Kids who are bullied have a hard time standing up for themselves. They think the kid who bullies them is more powerful than they are. Bullying can make them:

• Sad, lonely, or nervous
• Feel sick
• Have problems at school
• Bully other kids

Kids Who Bully Others

Kids bully others for many reasons, they may:

• Want to copy their friends
• Think bullying will help them fit in
• Think they are better than the kid they are bullying

Bullying is never ok. Those who bully use power to hurt people. Power does not always mean bigger or stronger. Power can also mean popular or smart. Or, the kid doing the bullying may know a secret about the kid being bullied.

Kids who bully can have other problems, too, even when they get older, like using alcohol and drugs, getting into fights, and dropping out of school.

Kids Who See Bullying

When kids see bullying, they may not know what to do. They may feel depressed or worried. They may be absent from school because they don’t feel safe. They may join in or stay silent so they won’t get bullied themselves. They may stand up to the bully. But the best thing to do is get an adult who will stop the bullying on the spot.

What You Can Do

Are you being bullied? Do you see bullying at your school? There are things you can do to keep yourself and the kids you know safe from bullying.

• Treat Everyone with Respect
• What to Do If You’re Bullied
• Protect Yourself from Cyberbullying
• Stand Up for Others
• Get Involved

Treat Everyone with Respect

Nobody should be mean to others.

• Stop and think before you say or do something that could hurt someone.
• If you feel like being mean to someone, find something else to do. Play a game, watch TV, or talk to a friend.
• Talk to an adult you trust. They can help you find ways to be nicer to others.
• Keep in mind that everyone is different. Not better or worse. Just different.
• If you think you have bullied someone in the past, apologize. Everyone feels better.

What to Do If You’re Bullied

There are things you can do if you are being bullied:

• Look at the kid bullying you and tell him or her to stop in a calm, clear voice. You can also try to laugh it off. This works best if joking is easy for you. It could catch the kid bullying you off guard.
• If speaking up seems too hard or not safe, walk away and stay away. Don’t fight back. Find an adult to stop the bullying on the spot.

There are things you can do to stay safe in the future, too.

• Talk to an adult you trust. Don’t keep your feelings inside. Telling someone can help you feel less alone. They can help you make a plan to stop the bullying.
• Stay away from places where bullying happens.
• Stay near adults and other kids. Most bullying happens when adults aren’t around.

Protect Yourself from Cyberbullying

Bullying does not always happen in person. Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens online or through text messages or emails. There are things you can do to protect yourself.

• Always think about what you post. You never know what someone will forward. Being kind to others online will help to keep you safe. Do not share anything that could hurt or embarrass anyone.
• Keep your password a secret from other kids. Even kids that seem like friends could give your password away or use it in ways you don’t want. Let your parents have your passwords.
• Think about who sees what you post online. Complete strangers? Friends? Friends of friends? Privacy settings let you control who sees what.
• Keep your parents in the loop. Tell them what you’re doing online and who you’re doing it with. Let them friend or follow you. Listen to what they have to say about what is and isn’t okay to do. They care about you and want you to be safe.
• Talk to an adult you trust about any messages you get or things you see online that make you sad or scared. If it is cyberbullying, report it.

Stand Up for Others

When you see bullying, there are safe things you can do to make it stop.

• Talk to a parent, teacher, or another adult you trust. Adults need to know when bad things happen so they can help.
• Be kind to the kid being bullied. Show them that you care by trying to include them. Sit with them at lunch or on the bus, talk to them at school, or invite them to do something. Just hanging out with them will help them know they aren’t alone.

Not saying anything could make it worse for everyone. The kid who is bullying will think it is ok to keep treating others that way.

Get Involved

You can be a leader in preventing bullying in your community.

• Find out more about where and when bullying happens at your school. Think about what could help. Then, share your ideas. There is a good chance that adults don’t know all of what happens. Your friends can go with you to talk to a teacher, counselor, coach, or parent and can add what they think.
• Talk to the principal about getting involved at school. Schools sometimes give students a voice in programs to stop bullying. Be on a school safety committee. Create posters for your school about bullying. Be a role model for younger kids.
• Write a blog, letter to the editor of your local newspaper, or tweet about bullying.

For more information on Bullying go to: http://www.pacer.org/bullying/

Sharyland Bullying Prevention Handbook

Sharyland Bullying Report Form