Bullying

Teens:

Bullying — it’s never OK

bullying is never okay

How do I know it’s bullying?

Sometimes, the things people do or say can hurt. But how do you know if you or a friend are being bullied? Usually bullying happens more than once, and maybe over and over again.

Bullying can be:

  • Threatening or calling names.
  • Having inappropriate sexual talk, or threatening to hurt someone.
  • Spreading rumors or embarrassing someone in public.
  • Hitting, kicking, pinching, or spitting on someone.
  • Taking or breaking someone’s things.
  • Sending mean text messages or emails, posting embarrassing pictures to social media sites, or making fake profiles about someone.

People who bully use their “power” to control or hurt others. This power could be physical strength, popularity, or information they have about someone. Bullying is never OK.

this is important

Important!

It is so important for you to know and remember that no one deserves to be bullied. You are never alone.  Bullying is never OK. Make sure you get the help you need today!

How does bullying affect me?

If you or a friend is being bullied, you may be feeling like:

  • You can’t be yourself.
  • You can’t do or say the things you want to.
  •  You are not safe and you feel afraid
  • You are sad or depressed.
  • You are alone.

Usually bullying happens more than once, and maybe over and over again.

So what should I do?

  1. First: Know that you are not alone.
  2. Second: Know that you do not deserve to be bullied. Bullying is never OK.
  3. Then...
    • Speak up: Tell a parent or a trusted adult what is happening. This may feel scary, but letting the bullying go on will be worse. By speaking up, you’re not only helping yourself, but others who might also be being bullied. It takes courage, but you can do it!
    • Stay calm: When in a situation of being bullied, try to stay calm. If you can, ignore the person who is bullying, walk away, find an adult, and tell the adult what has happened.
    • Get more help: Dealing with someone bullying you is really hard. You might feel scared, sad, or depressed. It’s important to talk to someone about your feelings, like a parent, school counselor or teacher, or a trusted adult. Also, see the resources below to find safe places you can go to talk.

No one deserves to be bullied.

Bullying is never OK.

Resources

  • www.stopbullying.gov.
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  • For behavioral health, drug, and alcohol treatment in your county:
    • Bucks County: 1-877-769-9784.
    • Chester County: 1-866-622-4228.
    • Delaware County: 1-888-207-2911.
    • Montgomery County: 1-877-769-9782.
    • Philadelphia County: 1-888-545-2600.

Parents/Guardians

talk about it

Bullying:  How to know when it’s happening. What to do when it is.

How do I know it’s bullying?

Kids can be mean. As parents,  remember when we were kids. But how do you know how serious it is? How do you know if your child is being bullied? When someone is being bullied, it usually happens more than once, and may happen over and over again.

Bullying can be any of the following:

  • Threatening or calling names.
  • Having inappropriate sexual talk, or someone threatening to hurt your child.
  • Spreading rumors or embarrassing someone in public.
  • Hitting, kicking, pinching, or spitting on someone.
  • Taking or breaking someone’s things.
  • Sending mean text messages or emails, posting embarrassing pictures to social media sites, or making fake profiles about someone.

Children who bully use their “power” to control or hurt others. This power can be physical strength, popularity, or information they have about someone. This behavior is never OK.

Are some children more at risk for being bullied?

Yes. While there is no way to know if a child might be bullied, there are some children more at risk than others. Children who are bullied generally have 1 or more of the following risk factors:

  • They may seem different from those around them. For example, they may be overweight or underweight, wear different clothes or wear glasses, or be new to a school or neighborhood.
  • Others see them as weak or not able to defend themselves.
  • They are depressed, anxious, or have low self-esteem.
  • They appear less popular or have few friends.
  • They seem to have trouble getting along with others.
this is important

Important!

It is so important for you to know and remember that no one deserves to be bullied. Your child is never alone. Bullying is never OK. Make sure you and your child get the help you need today!

How do I know if my child is being bullied?

Some things to look for are:

  • Injuries that can’t be explained.
  • Lost, missing, or stolen items, like money, clothes, or jewelry.
  • Sickness, often with headaches or stomachaches.
  • Changes in eating habits, like skipping meals or eating more than usual.
  • Trouble sleeping or having nightmares.
  • Grades going down in school and not wanting to go to school.
  • Sudden loss of friends.
  • Feelings of being helpless or having low self-esteem.
  • Feelings of sadness, being depressed, wanting to harm himself or herself, or talking about suicide.

What can I do to help?

  1. First: Know that you are not alone. There is help for you and for your child.
  2. Second: Know that no one deserves to be bullied. It’s important that your child knows it is not his or her fault. Bullying is never OK.
  3. Then...
    • Talk: If you think there are signs of your child being bullied, talk to your child about what you’re seeing. Many times children won’t ask for help. Know the warning signs and open up the conversation with your child.
    • Listen: Find out what has happened. Ask questions, and be sure to listen to what your child is saying and how your child is feeling. If what you’re hearing makes you think your child might hurt him or herself, get help right away (see below for resources).
    • Reach out: If the bullying happened at school, contact the school to make them aware and to work on what happens next. Also, if you or your child needs extra support, there are people to help. See the resource information below to get you started.

Resources

  • www.stopbullying.gov.
  • National Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
  • For behavioral health, drug, and alcohol treatment in your county:
    • Bucks County: 1-877-769-9784.
    • Chester County: 1-866-622-4228.
    • Delaware County: 1-888-207-2911.
    • Montgomery County: 1-877-769-9782.
    • Philadelphia County: 1-888-545-2600.
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