Bullying
( Public Health)
Through this page, your questions about bullying will be answered.
What is bullying?
Bullying is an unwanted aggressive behavior inflicted by a person or a group. It is characterized by intentional aggression aimed at harming the victim,physically, socially, or psychologically. Bullying involves a power imbalance, where the bully may use physical strength, social status, or embarrassing information to hurt others. It occurs repeatedly or is highly likely to recur and can happen anywhere: at school, work, home, or online through social media and digital platforms.
Types of bullying:
Physical bullying: Involves harming a person’s body or belongings, such as hitting, kicking, pushing, spitting, or damaging the victim’s property. It may also include forcing someone to do things against their will.
Verbal bullying: Involves using words to cause harm, such as mocking, name-calling, threats, inappropriate sexual comments, or verbal abuse.
Social bullying (also called relational bullying): Targets a person’s reputation or relationships, including spreading rumors, public humiliation, deliberate exclusion from activities or groups, or encouraging others to isolate the victim.
Cyberbullying: Conducted through electronic devices such as emails, mobile phones, or social media platforms. It includes sending harmful messages, sharing offensive images, or posting hurtful comments. It can be ongoing and happen at any time.
Workplace bullying: Occurs among adults in professional settings and involves repeated aggressive behaviors meant to cause physical, psychological, or social harm, such as intimidation, threats, or exclusion.
Causes of bullying:
Bullying stems from various psychological and social factors affecting both the bully and the victim.
For bullies, possible motivations include:
Desire to control others or gain a higher social status
Low self-esteem and the need to feel better about themselves
Lack of remorse or failure to recognize the harm they cause
Feelings of anger, frustration, or jealousy
Social difficulties or feelings of isolation
History of abuse, neglect, or being bullied or violence in their personal lives.
Enjoyment of conflict or impulsive behavior rather than intentional harm
Victims may be more likely to be targeted if they:
They are perceived as different (in weight, appearance, clothing, race, etc.)
Appear physically or emotionally weak
Suffer from depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem
Are less popular or have few friends
Struggle with social interactions
Have intellectual or developmental disabilities
Signs of being bullied:
Bullying may manifest through various signs, including:
Physical signs: Unexplained injuries like bruises, cuts, or scratches; torn clothing; lost or damaged personal belongings such as books or electronics.
Health-related signs: Frequent headaches or stomach aches, loss of appetite or unhealthy eating patterns, fatigue, difficulty sleeping, or nightmares.
Emotional and psychological signs: Symptoms of depression, loneliness, anxiety, low self-esteem, self-harming behavior, running away from home, or suicidal thoughts or attempts.
Academic signs: Decline in academic performance, loss of interest in school, refusal to attend school, or be in certain places.
Social signs: Sudden social withdrawal, loss of friends, avoidance of social situations, or reluctance to talk about what’s happening.
Behavioral signs: Noticeable behavior changes like withdrawal, excessive crying, irritability, anger, or quitting favorite activities. Some may even change their route to or from school to avoid bullies, or revert to behaviors such as bedwetting.
Effects of bullying:
Bullying is a serious issue with wide-ranging consequences that impact physical, psychological, social, and academic well-being.
For victims, bullying can lead to guilt, isolation, depression, health problems (e.g., headaches, stomachaches), sleep and eating disorders, poor academic performance, and even school dropout. Its long-term impact may include chronic psychological distress and difficulty in relationships.
For bullies, there is a higher risk of future problems, including substance abuse, aggressive behaviors, and academic failure.
For bystanders, witnessing bullying can lead to anxiety, stress, drug use, and school avoidance.
What to do if you’re being bullied?
If you’re experiencing bullying, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and handle the situation effectively:
Stay calm and avoid reacting with anger or aggression.
Clearly and assertively tell the bully to stop.
Walk away or ignore the situation if the bullying continues.
Talk to a trusted person (parent, teacher, or friend) and seek help.
Keep records of cyberbullying.
Block the bully and report them on digital platforms.
Protect personal accounts by not sharing passwords.
Spend time with supportive friends and avoid locations where bullying occurs.
Seek help from a mental health professional if you feel sad or frightened.
Frequently asked questions:
How can bullying behavior be addressed?
Make sure the child who is bullying understands that their behavior is harmful and unacceptable.
Respond seriously and clearly state that bullying will not be tolerated.
Model positive behavior when speaking with the bully and provide guidance.
How should witnesses respond to bullying?
