Nearly 1 in 3 middle school and high school students have been bullied, according to the National Institute of Health's latest bullying statistics. Nearly 3 million teenagers say they were "pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on during the last school yea;r" 1.5 more were threatened with physical harm. It is unclear how many more bullying incidents are never reported.
The effects of school bullying are far-reaching. Bullying victims are far more likely than non-bullied individuals to be depressed, to miss school and earn poorer grades, to have low self-esteem and to have thoughts of suicide. The devastating impacts of bullying became starkly visible in October of 2010 when there was a surge in gay teen suicide. Rutgers University freshman Tyler Clementi for example, committed suicide after his sexual encounter with a man was broadcast on the internet via webcam. Minnesota high school student Justin Aaberg, 15, took his own life after he was tormented by peers.
How to Deal With School Bullies
Bullying comes in many shapes in forms from verbal abuse (yelling, name-calling) to physical abuse (pushing, kicking, hiding someone's things) to relationship abuse (spreading rumors about someone, refusing to talk to someone).
Check out the resources below for possible responses to bullying including this piece of advice from PBS Kids: "If you're being called names or teased, try 'The Fog Tank.' Imagine that you're inside a huge fish tank filled with white fog. Then, imagine that the insults are swallowed up by the fog before they reach you. Nothing touches you. Practice by thinking of the worst things a bully can say to you, then letting the fog eat them up."
How to Deal With Cyber Bullying
- Record the evidence: Save an image of your Facebook or AIM screen if someone intimidates you or harasses you online; don't delete messages. This is your proof that you are being bullied.
- Don't "fight back": Don't respond to bullying with aggression – this will likely provoke the person who is harassing you. Avoid the temptation to become a bully yourself because bullies thrive on this kind of heated response.
- Protect your personal information: Block your harasser on Facebook; change your e-mail address or AIM screen name. Only give your contact information to people who you have met and who you trust.
- Learn about cyber bylling (and know that you're not alone): I recommend this BBC documentary about Cyber Bulling. Check out the list of additional resources below.
- Speak Out: Talk to a parent, a teacher, a counselor or even a police officer if necessary. Bullying is embarrassing – but don't suffer in silence.
Additional Resources:
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development: "Take a Stand Against Bullying"
Learn "Good Online Habits"
"Teaching Boys How to Cope with Emotions" "Many boys wear a "mask,' often hiding feelings of sadness, loneliness and vulnerability..."
Kidshealth.org: "Dealing with Bullies"
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