Introduction

Mom, Tommy wont stop calling me fat. Julie talks about my clothes and it makes me

feel bad. Jonathan makes me give him my lunch money every day. The previous statements

are examples of bullying. Bullying is a critical issue in education today. The definition of

bullying has three critical aspects1. It could be a repeated behavior, daily, weekly, monthly or as

often as the aggressor prefers. It also can be the misuse of power within relationships, such as

one friend continuously asking the other friend to perform certain tasks as a measurement of

their friends. Then there is behavior which causes harm to another person, such as threatening or

physically harming another in a fight or other form of physical altercation. Each action is an

example of evidence that can be identified as bullying.

Types of Bullying

There are several types of bullying 2. Bullying can be physical, verbal, psychological and even

sexual. Physical bullying can be comprised of hitting, spitting, pushing or kicking a less

powerful student. The student may be reluctant or intimidated by the action and not fight back or

respond. This causes the student to internalize their feelings. This can also create a stressful

environment for the student, especially if the behavior is repeated.

Verbal bullying3 is often known as the most common form of bullying. This is due to the

fact that students constantly talk and interact with one another. It is only when the aggressor

makes demeaning comments and creates an unhealthy and hurtful environment for the victim.

Examples of verbal bullying can be harassment, taunting, name calling, threatening and teasing.

1 "What is Bullying | StopBullying.gov." 2014. 25 Jul. 2016 <https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-

bullying/>
2 "The 4 Common Types of Bullying - Parents." 2014. 25 Jul. 2016
<http://www.parents.com/kids/problems/bullying/common-types-of-bullying/>
3 "Types of bullying - Facts about bullying - Teachers - Bullying. No Way!." 2012. 25 Jul. 2016
<http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/teachers/facts/types.html>
Verbal bullying has many effects on a victim and can have long term damage. This will be

discussed in the effects section.

Sexual bullying is an unfortunate harsh reality as it relates to students. It is defined as an

uncomfortable behavior meant to influence others. Examples of sexual bullying are

exhibitionism, voyeurism, sexual propositioning and sexual abuse. This could also include

unwanted touching and sexual assault.

With the infusion of technology and the Internet, cyberbullying is a new situation that

also affects students and the learning environment. By definition, cyber bullying is unwanted,

aggressive behavior that takes place using electronic technology 4. Examples of cyberbullying

could be sending inappropriate pictures to other individuals of a victim that they prefer to not

have shared. Also rumors and that are sent via email or posted to social media websites. Mean

and inappropriate text messages are also included in the list of wrongdoings. During the last five

years, I have been amazed by the effect of cyberbullying and its effect on many students. Many

students would come to school wanting to interact in confrontational behavior because of things

they read on their Twitter or Instagram accounts.

As the Internet has no face, bullies can create a facade and be who they want to be. They

can perform acts that they would not do face to face. They can send picture or information

falsely, as well as make obscene comments. Not only this, but they can create fake profiles of

their victims and taunting and humiliate them through online chats, emails and text messaging.

Victims must realize their rights and find protective measures in order to regulate their online

behaviors. Digital citizenship plays a key role is helping all students understand the purpose of

their digital footprint. Being great digital citizens also provide a comfortable, safe environment

meant for the purpose of online learning more and more.

4 "Cyberbullying | StopBullying.gov." 2014. 25 Jul. 2016 <https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/>

 What is worse about bullying is that it can be overt or covert behavior. 5 It can be obvious

(overt bullying) as it directly impacts the victim face to face. This is where the victim is

involved in confrontational behavior and can be physically or verbally abused by their oppressor.

The covert behavior however is indirect. Examples of this type of bullying are using hand

gestures and weird or threatening looks, whispering, excluding, turning your back on a person,

gossiping and even threatening, no matter if it is the reputation or personal comfort levels.

Ideals such as sarcasm can be considered as bullying. The student can disregard the hurtful

behavior but later internalize it as relevant to their personality, not realizing the type of effect that

it may have on them. Humiliation is also considered to be bullying. The victim may feel that

they are being embarrassed which later than create an uncomfortable environment and then

victim may choose to not want to participate in school activities or present during class time.

Effects of Bullying

Victims of bullying are affected in many ways. It can affect their self-image as well as have long

term emotional and psychological effects. They may experience low self-esteem, which can lead

to depression and other mental issues, including anxiety. It can affect their home life and their

want or ability to complete tasks of their liking. Studies have shown that if in fact they become

so depressed, that they seek inappropriate escapes. Victims make consider substance abuse, or in

extreme cases, turn to suicide. It is important that victims recognize bullying and respond to it

proactively to avoid long term issues. Also, authorities must respond to these problems to help

victims and address aggressive activities.

5 "Types of bullying - Facts about bullying - Teachers - Bullying. No Way!." 2012. 25 Jul. 2016
<http://www.bullyingnoway.gov.au/teachers/facts/types.html>
It can also lead to criminal behavior. Research has shown that 60% of males who were bullies in

grades six through 9 were convicted of at least one crime as adults. 35 to 40 % has three or more

convictions by aged 24 compared to 10% of the males who did not bully.

Students Guide to Handling a Bully6

The list below can help student handle and address bullies and their activities.

Ignore the bully

Tell an authority figure (school personnel, parent, etc.)
Remain calm
Focus on friends rather than the bully.
Seek out other activities that are unrelated to the bully. Find the appropriate venting
source for the reason of distraction and interactivity.

Why Bully?
Research shows that there are number of reason why bullying is performed 7. A child can

be reacting to home life issues and choose to take it out on others in the school environment. It

can be a learned behavior from a parent, sibling or surrounding friends. It is also said that they

may be responding to what they see in movies, on television or the Internet. Some may not even

have a reason to bully other students, but they may be uncomfortable with anothers students

background, gender, color of their skin or cultural adaptation. It is critical that school personnel

and parents are aware of bullying actions in order to work to correct their behaviors.

Bully Prevention

Preventing bullying is an immediate need that all schools should address. The initial way to stop

it to stop it before it starts. It helps to complete an assessment of the schools culture.

6 "Taking a Stand: A Student's Guide to Stop Name-Calling and Bullying." 2013. 25 Jul. 2016
<http://www.adl.org/assets/pdf/education-outreach/Taking-a-Stand-color.pdf>
7 "Why do People Bully? - Bullying Statistics." 2010. 25 Jul. 2016
<http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/why-do-people-bully.html>
Also, the school should have seminars related to bullying and its effect on other students. The

more parents and students know, the less likely they are to perform inappropriate activities.

Students also need to understand what it means to be a victim and what kind of ways that it can

affect them during short and long term timeframes.

Along with the seminars, rules and policies should be set aside to define bullying and

their various types. Also, the consequences related to bullying should be well stated and

distributed. Its all about communication and dedication. Also, school personnel should ensure a

safe environment. Teachers must be proactive and continuously involved in knowing their

students. Administrators must discuss this issue with their staff on preventative methods and

caring words to nurture the learning environments. All stakeholders involved in the education

process must be proactive and responsive. This helps to alleviate the issues and pain experienced

by victims and lessens the possibilities of bully like behaviors over time.

Why is this critical issue in Education?

This is undoubtedly a critical issue because each year, children of all ages die as a result of what

is said to be bullying. School is a learning environment and should be seen and utilized as the

safest place for any student. They should not be victimized, irritated or degraded just because

they are different. As it affects many students on a day to day basis, it is the job of the teachers

and administrators to intervene when necessary.