Bullying is when someone does something deliberately to hurt, upset or threaten you. Bullying can be really difficult to deal with and make you feel very upset or low in confidence. Bullying can happen face-to-face, one-to-one or in groups. It is an imbalance of power, which can make it difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves. Bullying can take lots of different forms, but includes name calling, being physically violent, spreading rumours or even deliberately leaving people out. It can also happen through social media: texting and cyberbullying are becoming more common. It is important that bullying is taken seriously.
Young people who are bullied are more likely to experience: depression, anxiety, increased feelings of sadness and loneliness, changes in sleep and eating patterns, and loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.
No one has the right to hurt you or make you feel bad. You have the right to feel safe and bullying is not OK for anyone. If you are being bullied, it can be helpful to talk to someone who can support you.
Overcoming the effects of bullying
Jake's story