Bullies gain power by inciting a reaction out of others.
To deal with a bully, stay calm and maintain control of your emotions.
If they are in immediate danger, call911.
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There are many types of bullying.
Six of the most common types are discussed below along with examples of each.
Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying is the most common form of bullying.
Social Bullying
Social bullying is also called relational bullying, relational aggression, or emotional bullying.
It involves threatening someone’s reputation or relationships.
Physical Bullying
Physical bullying includes bodily harm or damage to possessions.
Any form of unprovoked aggressive physical contact constitutes physical bullying.
Fighting, on the other hand, occurs between two people who are equally engaged in a physical altercation.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullyinginvolves bullying or harassing someone online or through social media.
This harassment can occur on a computer, telephone, cell, or text messaging machine.
Examples of cyberbullying can include:
In a 2018 survey, 59% of U.S. teens reported being cyberbullied.
Sexual Bullying
Examples of sexual bullying can include:
Forms of bullying often overlap.
Sexual cyberbullying is a common example and one that frequently occurs between ex-romantic partners.
Signs of Bullying
Bullying occurs intentionally, out of the sight of adults.
When there are warning signs, they usually involve behavioral and emotional changes.
They may not ask for help out of fear that it will make things worse.
Instead of putting them on the spot, start a general conversation to lead into the topic.
Let them know you want to help them.
Some suggestions include:
What Causes Bullying?
They often blame others and don’t accept the consequences of their actions.
Bullying vs.
Harassment
Bullying and harassment can look similar.
Both involve behaviors that target individuals and can lead to emotional, psychological, and physical harm.
Both can happen in any setting and can involve similar actions, like name-calling, intimidation, and humiliation.
Bullying, by contrast, can involve abusive or harmful behavior that may not specifically target legally protected characteristics.
While bullying can occur at any age or in any setting, it most commonly occurs in schools.
Bullying might only be addressed if it crosses into harassment territory or violates specific company policies.
They get this reaction by aggravating, frightening, angering, or threatening others.
It may be helpful to talk to a school counselor, trusted adult, or mental health professional.
Bullying affects bullies negatively as well.
In one study, men who bullied and men who were bullied had increased risks ofsuicide.
It often occurs among children, adolescents, and teens, but it can happen to adults as well.
Bullying creates a power imbalance, and it usually occurs repeatedly.
Types of bullying include physical, verbal, social, cyber, racist, religious, and sexual.
People who have been bullied may experience effects like depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem.
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How to deal with bullies.
