Say “No” to Bullies
Don’t be a victim. Learn to become bully-proof!
- A boy shoves a smaller boy on the playground.
- A girl who gets good grades shouts “Loser!” every time she walks by a shy classmate.
- A group of girls start a rumor about a new student. They tell everyone that she’s in love with a teacher.
Question: Which situation above is a form of bullying?
Answer: They all are.
A bully is a person who is mean in any way to someone else. Bullies can be male or female, rich or poor, alone or in groups. They might bully at school, in a park, in a house, or at the mall. They usually pick on other kids when no adults are around. Bullies know exactly what they are doing.
Many bullies tease other kids because it makes them feel tough. Some bullies were picked on themselves by older kids or adults. They become bullies to feel more powerful than at least one other person.
Bullying is a huge problem in the United States. About 1.6 million children in grades 6 through 10 are bullied at least once a week.
However, being a bully is not as easy as it used to be. Many schools have programs to stop bullies. Students pledge to report bullies to adults. Students and teachers work together to deal with bullies.
Those schools know that bullying is bad news. They don’t put up with it. Neither should you.
Read the tips on how to handle a bully. Then read the directions that follow, and answer the questions.
How to Handle A Bully
-Avoid the bully. Avoid places where the bully hangs out.
- Ignore the bully. He or she might take the hint and leave you alone.
- Go with others. Bullies are less likely to harass you when you’re in a group.
- Stand up straight, look the bully in the eyes, and say, “Stop doing that.”
- Don’t stoop to a bully’s level by becoming angry or saying mean things. Never fight.
-Tell a parent or a teacher. Don’t be ashamed. Telling an adult about bullying is not tattling, because people could get hurt.
- Help your school start an antibullying program.
- Remind yourself that you are a good person. If someone bullies you, it’s not your fault. You didn’t ask for it. You don’t deserve it.