Bullying is considered one of the most common and potentially damaging forms of school issues. Almost 49% of children in grades 4- 12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once a month. It is necessary to be aware of the different ways that you or someone you know could be affected by bullying, so you can prevent and end the behavior.
1. Physical Bullying
Physical bullying is the most obvious form of bullying. In this form of bullying, kids gain power and control over their targets by using physical force. Examples of physical bullying include kicking, shoving, hitting, punching, slapping, etc.
2. Verbal Bullying
In this form of bullying, kids use words, statements, and name-calling to gain power and control over the victim. Typically, verbal bullies will mock, mimic or insult to belittle, demean, and hurt another person.
3. Social Bullying
Social bullying, also known as relational aggression is the most complex and often harder to recognize form of bullying. It is common among girls and is designed to harm someone’s social reputation and / or cause humiliation. Relational aggression, indirect aggression, emotional bullying, alienation and social aggression/ cruelty are terms used to describe different dimensions of social bullying. Common ways in which social bullying occurs include:
- Encouraging others to ignore or exclude someone
- Lying, gossiping and spreading rumors
- Damaging someone’s reputation
- Saying taunting or insulting remarks
- Sharing personal information
- Playing nasty jokes on others
- Harassing someone in a way that causes emotional distress
4. Cyberbullying
When a child uses the Internet, a smartphone, or other technology to embarrass, threaten, harass, or target another person, it is cyberbullying.
5. Prejudicial Bullying
Prejudicial bullying is based on negative behaviors toward people of different races, religions, gender, or sexual orientation. In this type of bullying, kids single out and target those who are different from them and humiliate them or cause distress with words or actions.