Speak Up/ BULLYING!

Speaking Up

                Today, let us speak up about: BULLYING!

1.        Cyber bullying

A.      This seems like the most popular form of bullying nowadays.

B.      Technology and people do not mix very well. People take advantage of these devices and use them to black mail other human beings.

C.      There’s no privacy anywhere!

D.      Different forms of cyber bullying:

*Sending mean messages or threats to a person's email account or cell phone

*Spreading rumors online or through texts

*Posting hurtful or threatening messages on social networking sites or web pages

*Stealing a person's account information to break into their account and send damaging messages

*Pretending to be someone else online to hurt another person

*Taking unflattering pictures of a person and spreading them through cell phones or the Internet

*Sexting, or circulating sexually suggestive pictures or messages about a person

2.        Verbal bullying

A.      This form of bullying cuts like a knife. Words can really hurt.

B.      When you say mean things to other human beings, not only are you a bully, you can potentially be a murderer as well.

C.      Verbal bullying/abuse is your insecurities about yourself pointed at someone else.

D.      Different ways a victim can deal with verbal bullies:

*Ignore the bully: This is difficult, but if you can shrug off insults and provide no reaction, there is a chance that eventually the bully will move on to someone who provides a more interesting and responsive target.

*Tell an authority figure: A trusted teacher can make things a little easier, by being on the lookout for bullying behavior. Unfortunately, it is hard to catch verbal bullies, and even harder to punish them, since it is difficult to prove that they have been involved in such behavior. But telling someone at school can be a relief.

*Remain civil: Do not resort to rudeness yourself. Many bullies lose interest if you do not sink to their level. Also, if you act rudely and aggressively yourself, you may invite a physical confrontation, which could add physical hurts to the emotional.

*Try to focus on your friends: If your child has loyal friends, encourage him or her to focus on those friends so that they have some positive influences. Additionally, a victim that is surrounded by friends can dissuade a verbal bully from engaging. 

*Look for other sources of enjoyment: After school activities and other interests and hobbies can help you take your mind off of the verbal bullying.

3.        Physical bullying

A.      Physically harming others to satisfy your internal weakness isn’t the solution.

B.      The next time you have the urge to physically harm someone, imagine for a split second that that’s you on the ground!

C.      Take your anger somewhere else: The gym, find a hobby, etc…

D.      Write down all of your painful thoughts and read that paper slowly! Ask yourself questions: Why am I really angry? What did these people ever do to me? Where can I get help?

*Statistics show that Suicide is the third leading cause of death among young people! 4,400 deaths per year! Guess what the source of these suicides is coming from: BULLYING!!!! 160,000 children stay home from school every day because of fear of bullying! *Please, please, please, email me anytime WORDSBYLADYG@GMAIL.COM if you ever feel like you’re being bullied or need someone to talk to! Take a stand for yourself or anyone you witness being bullied. Suicide Hotline: 800-784-2433 or Crisis Call Center: 800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863