There is not just one type of person that gets bullied. Bullying doesn't happen only to kids that are "unpopular," it can happen to kids that are smart, funny, well-liked, and seem to have everything going for them.
Bullying happens in a number of ways and at all ages. Here are some of the different types of bullying that can occur:
Physical Bullying – This is any bullying that hurts someone's body or damages their possessions. Stealing, shoving, hitting, fighting, and destroying property all are types of physical bullying. Often bullying will begin in a different form and progress to physical violence.
Verbal Bullying – Calling names, spreading rumors, threatening somebody, and making fun of others, are all forms of verbal bullying. Verbal bullying is one of the most common types of bullying.
Social bullying – This is done with the intent to hurt somebody's reputation, relationships, or social standing. It could include spreading a story to damage someone's reputation or having others ignore or threaten a friend. This type of bullying is most common among girls, but can certainly happen with guys as well.
Cyberbullying - Any bullying that happens through technology is considered to be cyberbullying. This includes anything that happens over email, instant messaging, social networking sites (such as Facebook), text messages, or cell phones.
It may be interesting for you to know that there are characteristics that make a person less likely to be bullied:
- Having a sense of humor
- Being able to control emotions
- Being resilient and bouncing back from troubles
- Having success in school or activities
- Positive self-esteem
- Making and maintaining friendships
If you are being bullied, it doesn't mean you are less of a person, so don't let a bully make you feel that way. You deserve respect just like anyone else. So if you or someone you know is dealing with a similar situation, take a look at some of our other tips to identify if you are being bullied and how to handle bullies.