Bullying

Bullying is unacceptable.

It can take many forms - calling other people names, saying or writing nasty things about another person, leaving them out of joint activities, shouting, not talking to them, frightening or threatening, taking or spoiling things belonging to the other person, even kicking or hitting them, making them do things they don't want to do.
Bullying is different from teasing between friends or workmates. Yet quite often the bully will say "I was only teasing. Can't you take a joke?"

Bullying has been defined as when someone keeps doing or saying things to have power over another person. That is never a joke.

Yet some people think bullying is just part of growing up and a way for children and young people to learn to stick up for themselves. According to this argument bullying is good training in the 'school of hard knocks' as we all have to learn to deal with awkward situations and difficult people.

But bullying can make children and young people feel lonely, unhappy and frightened. It can make them feel unsafe and think there must be something wrong with themselves. They can lose confidence and may not want to go to school any more.

It can make your child's life a misery. It has even driven a few victims to suicide because there seems to be no end to it.

Parents and other adults in a child's life should take it seriously. This means knowing and understanding what bullying is, why bullies behave that way and how to help your child deal with bullies.

Schools have a key role to play also in preventing bullying and you can expect school authorities to take it seriously if your child is being bullied at school.

For teenagers it can be particularly damaging while they learn how to develop adult social relations. Teasing, some fighting and falling out with friends are normal parts of growing up and can be expected. Bullying, on the other hand, is different and should not be tolerated.
 

Further links: