Bullying is when someone deliberately makes you feel miserable or threatens you. Bullying makes people feel frightened and unhappy.

click here to download this picture to colour in >>> (pdf) (391.8 kB)

Bullying is when a stronger or more powerful person hurts or frightens a smaller or weaker person on purpose and does this again and again.

Bullying can take many forms, such as:

• Physical bullying - pushing or hitting someone, damaging their things like their clothes, books or bike, stealing from them or forcing them to hand over their belongings.
    
• Verbal bullying - name calling, spreading rumours, nasty teasing, threats, insults. Sending nasty or threatening e-mails or text messages is also bullying.
    
• Emotional bullying - ignoring or deliberately leaving someone out. Making nasty remarks about someone's family or home life, or something they can't help doing. Always criticising or rubbishing everything they do. Making rude gestures or comments.
    
• Prejudice bullying - bullying someone because of the colour of their skin, their religion or their country of origin. Some people might be bullied because they wear glasses or a hearing aid, or just because they look different. 

Who gets bullied?

Nearly everyone is bullied at some time in their lives. Lots of famous people were bullied when they were young. People like Tom Cruise, Gareth Gates, Ms Dynamite, David Beckham and many others.
 
Sometimes bullying can go on for a long time, but even if it only happens once, it is still bullying.
 
If you are being bullied, try to remember that it's not your fault. The bully is always to blame.

No-one deserves to be bullied.

What can I do if I am being bullied?

• Try to stay calm and look as confident as you can. Try to ignore the bullying.
    
• Be firm and clear - look them in the eye and tell them to stop.
    
• Get away from the situation as quickly as possible and tell an adult what has happened straight away.
    
• If you are getting bullying e-mails or text messages make sure you tell your parent or carer. 

What then?

Tell a teacher or another adult in your school. Ask for their help.
 
Tell your family. Ask for their help.
 
If you are scared to tell a teacher or an adult on your own, ask a friend to go with you.

Don't blame yourself.

Remember: it's not your fault.

Back to top