What is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone intentionally does or says something to hurt another person. This behaviour is often repetitive and deliberate and can happen to both kids and adults. Bullying is wrong and can take many forms such as:
- Physical Bullying – Hitting, slapping, shoving, tripping, spitting, throwing objects, blocking someone’s path; damaging, stealing or withholding someone’s property
- Verbal Bullying – Insults, teasing, racism, threats, hurtful jokes
- Social Bullying – Excluding someone from an activity or group, ignoring someone, talking about someone negatively behind their back, spreading rumours
- Cyberbullying – Using technology such as cell phones and the internet to blackmail, threaten, intimidate, insult, spread rumours, post private/humiliating images or videos
If you are being bullied, what can you do?
- Walk away from the bully.
- Speak with a school counsellor, a teacher, a coach or a trusted adult and let them know what is happening.
- Don’t be afraid to tell your parents or someone else you trust.
- Always let your parents know where you are going and when you will be home.
- Carry a phone with you if you have one.
- Walk with a buddy or a group of friends.
- Know your neighborhood and safe places to go if you need help.
- Never flash money, bus passes, cell phones cameras or other possessions.
- Don’t share pictures or video of yourself online or through text messages and social media apps.
- Block the bully from your social media accounts.
- Keep your passwords private and only share them with an adult you trust.
There are many organizations and resources available to help you. Below you will find a few links to organizations which offer resources and can teach you more about different types of bullying, what you can do about it and how to get help. You are not alone!
https://www.bullyingcanada.ca/get-help/
Information and resources for cyberbullying
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/cyberbullying.html
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-safety-canada/campaigns/cyberbullying/cyberbullying-youth.html
If you are a parent, recognize the signs
Warning signs that your child or someone you know is being bullied can include but are not limited to:
- Withdrawal from activities
- Unexplained injuries
- Difficulty concentrating
- Biological symptoms –pain, decreased appetite, difficulty sleeping
- Signs of depression or anxiety
For more information about bullying and bullying programs in Canada, some suggested resources can be found at the links below:
http://www.stopabully.ca/about-stop-a-bully.html
https://www.prevnet.ca/bullying/parents
https://www.safecanada.ca/bullying-in-canada/
