The signs
Do you pick on anyone or push them around? Do you tease someone regularly? Or are you part of a group where this happens? Is it possible that someone has felt bullied by you or your friends?
Bullying factoid Last year 69% of young people said they'd been bullied National Bullying Survey 2006
But it's just harmless teasing…
Bullying ruins people’s lives. Every year around 16 children in the UK kill themselves after being bullied. Many others miss out on education because they can’t concentrate or they bunk off to keep away from the bullies. Even for those who survive bullying, the effects on their self-esteem, confidence and relationships with others can last for years.
What to do
People can change. You can choose what kind of person you want to be. Why do you feel the need to pick on people? Because someone does it to you? To make someone else look small so you can feel better about yourself? Or are you scared you’ll be the one getting bullied if you’re not the one dishing it out? You’ll feel much better if you deal with this stuff properly instead of taking it out on other people. The organisations below can help.
Don’t let it happen
Watching and doing nothing while someone gets bullied supports bullying. Have the courage to speak out and get help if you see it happening.
Written by Ali Cronin
Last updated 17th June 2007
Further help and advice
- Need2Know: how to beat bullying.
- Bullying Online: info and advice on handling all kinds of bullying.
- Or call Childline on 0800 1111 (free) or The Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 (cost of a local call) 24/7 to talk about your problems.
Disclaimer: Thee BBC cannot be held responsible for the content of external websites
Adele, 15
I could never bully some1 this is horrible - my mum got bullied when she was younger and it sounded horrible
abbey, 13
i'm doing a project on anti-bullying and some of the things i have found out are really scary. every year between 16 + 27 kids commit suicide because they are bullied or they are a bully. being a bully can effect the things they do in their life later aswell because loads of people can find out and they dont trust them. its really sad because they have no chance to change it either. xx
Sarah, 17
i could never be a bully to anyone its just wrong and i used to be bullied myself and it wasnt nice at all i used to hang out the teachers to protect myself from them and ditch my friends but and i used to be scared of reporting them incase they would beat me up now i have been bullied about over 5 times and my maths teacher knew exacly who was bullying me and she reported them for me
Laura, 14
Well Done Louise!Ill bet that was a really herd thing to admit!
joanne , 14
this has really helped me thank you i get bullied in scool for beeing tall but i just try and aignore it speek 2 some 1 if u r beeing bullied dont be afraid people will help you
cerise , 13
i think bullying is not nice coz i us to get bullied at my old school and i now how it fells and if ya are getting bullied tell some one your mum or dad or ring child line ok, dont stand there and take it
Jess, 16
I just left school, It was the worse years of my life I have been bullied ever since reception and now I have got myself a Job the main bully has got a job at the same place, so its really tough, Just try and ignore and work through it! Find people u can talk to about it, U can get through it no matter wat!
Louise, 16
i used to bully one girl at my school i thought i was really big because people would laugh at me i thought every one was my friend because they were all nice to me in school, outside of school no one would speak to me i soon figured that it was probably becuase they didnt want to spend time with me when they didnt have to i soon stopped bulling this girl and i said sorry to her for everything that i had done to her thankfully she forgave me and we are now best friends i think people need to have a open mind to notice what bullying can do to people and a open mind to change. It takes a lot of courage to addmit that you have bullied someone becuase it really isnt a nice thing to do if i could change time i would never had said anything to her.
onelife
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