Bullying Is Wrong!

What can you do if someone is bullying you?

Being bullied is embarrassing, scary and  hurtful, but you should know that you don't have to put up with being bullied. It is NOT a normal part of growing up. Bullying is wrong. Bullying is a learned behvior, that means it is something we can change and there are things we can do to deal with bullying. Here are some things we all can do to stop bullying:

·         Learn about what bullying is and then share this with others, such as your parents, friends, teachers, sport coaches and others. A lot of adults believe that bullying is just a normal part of life, IT'S NOT -BE the change! And teach them that people should not just accept bullying.

·         Take the Bullying.org and Family Channel Pledge

·         You need to know that you are NOT alone in being bullied. Being bullied is embarrassing, scary and hurtful, it is normal to feel scared if you are being bullied, but being bullied is NOT normal and you shouldn't have to live with being bullied!

·       You need to know that being bullied is NOT your fault. Bullies might tell you mean things about yourself, but don't believe them. Bullies will say what ever they can to try and have power over you. Don't let them!

• Tell an adult. If you are being bullied, it's very important to tell an adult. It's really hard to stop bullying by yourself. Parents, teachers, principals, sport coaches, Guide and Scout leaders can all help to stop bullying.
• Write down what happened Who was bullying? Where did it happen? Who did what? Who saw it?
• Telling is not tattling. Telling we do to help make things safer and better. Tattling is what people do when they want to get someone else in trouble on purpose.
• Be brave When you're scared of another person, it's hard to be brave. But sometimes just acting brave is enough to stop a bully. If you act as though you're not afraid, it may be enough for a people who bully  to leave you alone.
• Stay calm and don't act upset or angry: bullies love to get a reaction. Practice what you'll do and say the next time it happens. If you don't act upset or react the way they want you to, they may get bored and stop.
• Ignore the people who bully. Try to ignore a bully's threats. If you can walk away, it takes a bullies power away because they want you to feel bad about yourself. Don't react. Don't let the people who bully  win!
• If ignoring them won't work, tell the people who are bullying to stop, say "Cut it out!", "That's not funny!", "How'd you like it if someone did that to you?" Let the people who bully know that what he or she is doing is stupid and mean.  
• Stand up, don't stand back Kids can stand up for each other by telling a people who bully to stop teasing or hurting someone else. You shouldn't try and fight the people who bully  . This almost always makes things worse. Walk up to the person being bullied, talk with them and then walk away together.
• Refuse to join in and don't just sit back and watch. The bully wants an audience. You give bullies power when you watch. If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
• Be a friend Kids who are being bullied can sure use a friend.  Walk with a friend or two on the way to school or recess or lunch or wherever you think you might meet the bully. Offer to do the same for someone else who's having trouble with a bully. Look out for kids who are new to school, or those kids who always seem to be alone.
• Join a club, a team, or a group This is a great way to make new friends. This really helps when you are new to school.
• Don't fight back First of all it's a dangerous thing to. Secondly, it usually makes things worse for everyone. Besides, you can't bully a bully into changing the way they are acting. Stay with others, stay safe, and get help from an adult.
• Sit or walk near an adult or friend Sit near the bus driver. Walk with a teacher or friend during recess or lunchtime.
• Take a different path to and from school
• What Can Be Done about Bullying? An Anti-bullying Toolkit for Kids
• Leave at different time
• Don't bring expensive stuff to school
• Share your story, find help, support and information on this Web site.
• Make sure the kid who's being bullied tells an adult. Offer to go with them if it will help.
• If they don't want to talk to anybody, offer to talk to someone for them.
• Involve as many people as possible, including other friends or classmates, parents, teachers, school counselors, and the principal.

Remember:

Treat others the way you would like to be treated. Stand up for someone when he or she needs it, and when you need it, someone will stand up for you.  Everyone has the right to be respected and the responsibility to respect others! For more information please visit- 

http://www.bullying.org/

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