Understanding the Different Types of Bullying: What You Need to Know If It Happens to You

Bullying of young people can take many different forms, and it's important to understand the different types to effectively recognise them, and learn what to do if it happens to you. In this article, we'll explore the different types of bullying and provide tips on how you can address each one.

Understanding the Different Types of Bullying:

1. Physical Bullying: Physical bullying involves a bully hurting you. Examples include hitting, pushing, and tripping.

2. Verbal Bullying: Verbal bullying involves using spoken or written words to hurt, humiliate, or intimidate you. Examples include name-calling, relentless teasing, insults, spreading lies about you on social media and threatening.

3. Social Bullying: Social bullying would be if a bully was deliberately excluding you from a group or spreading rumours about you. It can be done in person or online, and can also involve manipulating social relationships between you and others to harm or isolate you.

4. Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying involves using technology to harm or intimidate you. Examples include sending you hurtful texts or direct messages, posting embarrassing photos or videos online about you, and criticising and insulting you in online games or chat rooms.

How to Respond to Different Types of Bullying:

1. Physical Bullying: If a bully is hurting you at school, report the incident to a trusted adult, such as your teacher or school counsellor. You should also speak to your parents about it. If reporting the bullying has not stopped it, contact BullyingCanada at any time, on any day. Go to BullyingCanada.ca for contact information.

2. Verbal Bullying: Whether the abuse is happening in person, at school or online, report the incident to a trusted adult or get help anytime from BullyingCanada.

3. Social Bullying: Seek support from trusted adults or friends. Avoid the bully, and spend more time with family and friends who positively support you and bring you joy. If the bullying persists and you don’t know how it make it stop, contact BullyingCanada.

4. Cyberbullying: Whether it’s someone writing insults and lies about you – or your being tempted to write bad stuff to or about someone else, cyberbullying is really hurtful. Talk to a trusted adult about it, and get their help to block online bullies. Sometimes it’s helpful to have proof of the bullying so take screenshots of the bad comments or posts. If they are threatening, you can report this abuse to the police. If it is being done by schoolmates, report it to your teacher or principal. And don’t forget BullyingCanada is also there for you anytime.

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