Definitions, Signs and Help of Bullying and Cyberbullying
26Aug
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a deliberate and repeated act of causing harm to someone, either physically, socially, or verbally. It’s detrimental not only to the victim but also to the perpetrator. Bullying typically involves:
- Aggressive behavior. This action or attitude is hostile, forceful, or harmful towards others.
- Power Imbalance: The victim is either genuinely weaker or perceived as such, with bullies taking advantage of their physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or superior social status.
- Repetition: The harmful actions are repeated or are likely to occur again.
Types of Bullying
Bullying can manifest in three primary forms:
- Physical Bullying: Is direct harm to a person’s body or possessions, such as hitting, kicking, or stealing.
- Social Bullying (Relational Bullying): Damages someone’s reputation or relationships through actions like spreading rumors, public humiliation, or exclusion.
- Verbal Bullying: This entails saying or writing harmful things, including name-calling, taunting, and making threats.
What is Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying occurs through digital channels like text messages, emails, social media, forums, or online games. Examples include:
- Rumors posted on social media.
- Embarrassing photos or videos online.
- Doxing, or exposing someone’s private information online.
- Making online threats.
- Creating fake accounts to humiliate someone.
Certain acts of cyberbullying can be illegal, with laws varying from state to state.
How is Cyberbullying Different from Traditional Bullying?
Though cyberbullying is a form of bullying, it has distinct characteristics:
- Anonymity: The bully can hide their identity online.
- Persistence: Harmful messages can be sent instantly, at any time.
- Permanence: Digital communication can be permanent and public unless removed, potentially affecting future opportunities like college admission or employment.
- Invisibility: Teachers and parents may not witness cyberbullying as it occurs.
Who is More Likely to Be Bullied?
Children are at greater risk of being bullied if they:
- Are perceived as different (e.g., due to weight, dress, race, or ethnicity).
- Appear weak.
- Suffer from depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem.
- Have few friends or are unpopular.
- Struggle with social interactions.
- Have intellectual or developmental disabilities.
Who is More Likely to Be a Bully?
Children who are more prone to bullying others tend to fall into two categories:
- Socially powerful children: They are well-connected, concerned with popularity, and enjoy dominating others.
- Isolated children: They may be depressed, anxious, have low self-esteem, be easily influenced by peers, and struggle with empathy.
Factors that increase the likelihood of someone becoming a bully include:
- Aggression or frustration.
- Problems at home, such as exposure to violence or neglect.
- Difficulty following rules.
- Viewing violence positively.
- Associating with peers who bully.
The Effects of Bullying
Bullying is a serious issue with far-reaching consequences. It affects not only the victim but also the bullies and bystanders.
- Victims may experience mental and physical health issues, including depression, anxiety, headaches, and poor academic performance.
- Bullies are at increased risk for substance abuse, school problems, and future violence.
- Witnesses may suffer from mental health issues and are more likely to engage in substance abuse or skip school.
Signs of Being Bullied
Children who are bullied often do not report it due to fear, shame, or believing no one cares. Signs to watch for include:
- Depression, loneliness, or anxiety.
- Low self-esteem.
- Physical complaints like headaches or stomachaches.
- Avoidance of school or worsening grades.
- Self-destructive behaviors, such as self-harm or talk of suicide.
- Unexplained injuries.
- Lost or damaged belongings.
- Trouble sleeping or nightmares.
- Sudden loss of friends or social withdrawal.
How to Help Someone Being Bullied
To support a child who is being bullied:
- Listen and focus on the child’s experience, showing that you want to help.
- Assure them that the bullying is not their fault.
- Offer guidance on what to do, potentially through role-playing responses.
- Collaborate with the child, parents, and school to resolve the issue and protect the child.
- Follow up to ensure ongoing support and the cessation of bullying.
- Address the bully’s behavior, making it clear that bullying is unacceptable and harmful.
James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.
Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association