|
Have you ever met a bully?
A bully is a boy or girl who acts mean or hurtful to others.
Bullies pick on someone else as a way to get power, or to get their way, or to feel important. Bullies sometimes hit, kick, or push to hurt people. They also may use words to call someone names, tease, or scare
them. They might say something mean about someone, make fun of someone, or leave a kid out of the group on purpose. Sometimes, a bully might even threaten people or try to make them do things they don't want to do.Bullying is a very big problem. Lots of kids are bullied. Being bullied might make kids feel scared, sad, worried, or embarrassed. The stress of dealing with bullies can even give someone a headache or
stomachache! Bullying can be a big deal, but you don't have to let bullying get the best of you and your buddies. Here are some things you can try if someone is bullying you.
- Act brave.
You may not feel brave if you are being picked on, but sometimes just acting brave can stop a bully. If you act like you are not afraid of the bully, the bully might actually leave you alone.
- Ignore a bully.
Ignoring someone's threats and walking away robs the bully of his or her fun. Bullies are usually looking for a big reaction, but if you walk away like you don't notice or care, he or she
might just stop.
- Stand up for yourself.
Kids can stand up for themselves with words by telling the bully to stop it, and then walk away. Kids can also stand up for each other by telling a bully to stop teasing or scaring
someone else, then walk away together.
- Tell an adult.
If you are being bullied, it's very important to tell an adult. You can tell the principal, teachers, parents, and just about anyone else that works at the school where the bullying is
happening. They will all help to stop bullying.
- Be a buddy.
Kids who are being bullied can use the buddy system. Make a plan to walk with a friend or two on the way to recess or lunch or wherever you think you might meet the bully. Offer to do the
same for a friend who is having trouble with a bully.
- Don't bully back
. Don't hit, kick, or push back to deal with someone bullying you or your friends. Fighting back just satisfies a bully. It is also dangerous because someone could get hurt. It's
best to stay with others, stay safe, and get help from an adult.
Did you ever wonder what happens to bullies? In the end, most bullies wind up in trouble. If they keep acting mean and hurtful, sooner or later they may have only a few friends left. Often, these
friends are other kids who are just like them. The power they wanted slips away fast. Other kids move on and leave bullies behind!
|
