Bullies seem to exist everywhere. A bully is anyone who appears to feel powerful when they hurt or pick on someone else. They don't need a reason, just a target, or victim.
Say "NO" to Bullying
Things You Can Do If You're a Bully's Target
- Avoid the bully whenever possible.
- Walk or run away from the bully.
- Ask your friends to stick close. It's harder to pick on someone when they have friends standing up for them.
- Ask an adult (parent, teacher or counselor) for help.
- Be assertive. Tell the bully to stop bothering you, that you don't like it and will report the abuse if it continues.
If You See Someone Get Bullied
If you see someone else being bullied, don't get in the way; you could be hurt. Instead, try one of these things:
- Find an adult to help ASAP.
- Encourage your friends to be assertive with you and tell the bully that his or her behavior is unacceptable.
- If you are the one doing the bullying, STOP! You don't have the right to make others feel bad, to threaten people, tease people or cause other people harm.
Are You a Bully?
Are you wondering if you're a bully? If so, here's a quick way to tell. Look over the following list.
If you answer “yes” to one or two questions, you are possibly a bully in the making.
If you answer “yes” to more than two questions, you are a bully and should consider ways to change your behavior
- Do you pick on people who are smaller than you, or on animals?
- Do you like to tease or taunt other people?
- If you tease people, do you like to see them get upset?
- Do you think it's funny when other people make mistakes?
- Do you like to take or destroy other people's belongings?
- Do you want other students to think you're the toughest kid in school?
- Do you get angry a lot and stay angry for a long time?
- Do you blame other people for things that go wrong in your life?
- Do you like to get revenge on people who hurt you?
- When you play a sport or game, do you always have to be the winner?
- If you lose at something, do you worry about what other people will think of you?
- Do you get angry or jealous when someone else succeeds?
Youth reviewer: Julie Dubrouillet and Bernice Kwan
Reviewed by: Nancy Brown, Ph.D.
Last reviewed: July 2019