What is Bullying?

Bullying is the intentional (planned) and repeated use of anger or aggression by one or more children directed towards another child or group of children. A bully tries to scare, harass or harm another child(ren), especially if the other child(ren) seems weak and helpless.

Physical bullying includes hurting someone such as punching, pushing or hair pulling, and also destroying a person's things. Non-physical bullying can be verbal (using words) and non-verbal. Verbal bullying can include intimidation (making a child uncomfortable), threats of violence, name calling, and racist remarks.

Non-verbal bullying can be rude gestures, or manipulating and ruining friendships through excluding, ignoring or isolating someone. Boys are more likely to physically bully, while girls are more likely to use non-physical/psychological bullying. Bullying is often surrounded by fear and secrecy, and bullied child(ren) often feel unable to tell anyone because of their worry about revenge.

Bullying can happen anywhere, and happens in every school. Bullying may not always be easy to notice, as most bullying takes place where there are no adults around. Bullying also involves other children watching, who do nothing to stop and may actually cheer in support of bullying. Bullying happens more often than most people realize. While children say talking about being bullied is helpful, only half of bullied children say they told another person. Children are more likely to tell someone at home about being bullied than someone at school. It is estimated that about 10 per cent of children are bullied, and another 80 to 90 per cent of teenagers report some form of physical or psychological harassment at one point in their school years.

Bullying happens most often around grade two and continues but declines up to grade ten. Boys are more involved in bullying than girls. Girls are more often involved in bullying like gossip or excluding a child(ren) (social isolation). This kind of bullying can be as harmful as physical bullying is for boys. Girls are more likely to respond to being bullied with sadness, and boys with anger. Girls are more likely to tell someone that they are being bullied than boys. Girls are also more willing to help and defend children who are being bullied, while many boys are willing to help or support bullies.

Who Are Bullies?

Bullies typically fall into one of three groups. The first type is called the 'confident bully.' This is the kind of child most people think of when they hear about bullying. They are physically strong, enjoy aggression, feel secure, and are somewhat popular. They are often aggressive towards other people, even adults.

These bullies have a strong desire for power and social influence, and they do not feel guilty for what they do to others. The second type is called the 'anxious bully.' They typically struggle in school, have poor concentration skills, are less popular, and have poor self-esteem. The third type is called the 'bully victim' - these children are bullies in some situations, and victims in others. In general, bully victims are very unpopular.