What is Bullying?
I believe that the word Bully evokes different emotions and
attitudes in each person because of the extensive variations of its effects on
children. After reading several varying
definitions of “Bullying”, I have chosen the stopbullying.gov definition of
Bullying because of its inclusive description of Bullying. “Bullying is
unwanted, aggressive behavior among school-aged children that involves a real
or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to
be repeated, over time.”
A kid-friendly definition of Bullying is when someone is
being harmed either by words or actions on purpose, usually more than once,
feels distressed because of it, and has a hard time stopping what is happening
to them.
Below are a list of different categories of bullying and various
instances of each type.
Emotional Bullying
● name calling
● making fun of someone
● laughing at someone
● leaving someone out on purpose
● starting rumors or telling lies about someone
● sending mean messages on a computer or cell phone
● trying to make someone feel wrong about who they are
Physical Bullying
● hitting
● pushing and shoving
● fighting
● tripping
● yelling at someone
● making rude gestures
● taking or breaking another person’s things
While many parents, teachers, and children are more familiar
with both physical and emotional bullying, in the age of the internet, it is
importance to recognize the growing presence of bullying that happens online. Children
now have access to smart-phones, laptops, and iPads and may have social media
accounts which can expand the “spaces” in which they can become targets or become
a bully themselves. So, what exactly is the technical definition of Cyberbullying?
Using technology—internet, email, cell phones, social media, pictures— to hurt
or harm someone else.
Bottom line children deserve to feel safe in a violence free
atmosphere both at home and at school. So it’s our responsibility to educate
ourselves and children about Bullying.
One of the best ways to reduce bullying at your programs is
through educating the students about bullying and having open discussions
around the topic.
Tiana Brown is the Assistant Director of the Norwalk Housing Authority Learning Centers
