Bullies
Page 13 of 16
On the Bus
- Sit near the front of the bus! Sitting close to the driver will make bullies more cautious.
- Do not stay silent! Unless you feel that another kid will physically attack you if you speak up, remaining completely silent while kids are harassing you will only give them reason to keep doing it. Try one of the following:
- Directly ask them to stop.
- Distract them Start a different conversation that might interest them.
- Diffuse their attack. Giving them some sign their words are harmless to you, such as saying, “Yeah, right!” or try laughing along with them, even if you don not think it is funny.
- Sit with friends! There is strength in numbers. You are less likely to be singled out if you are sitting with others.
Online
- Do not respond to the message! Although it is very tempting to tell them off, it is not a good idea. This may only get them angry and cause more problems for you. They also can print out your message and use it against you by showing it to teachers or to the principal to say you are bothering them and not the other way around.
- Get out of the conversation! If someone is making fun of you or is threatening you, leave that converstation. Take down their screen name and report them to your online provider.
- Print any threatening or harassing messages! You cannot prove it is happening if you do not print out the evidence. Show the printed out message to your parents. It is against the law to threaten or harass someone online.
- Report inappropriate messages to your online provider! Most online services will suspend individuals who violate online rules. Let them get what is coming to them and report the violation to get them off the net.
- Do not exchange insults with popular kids! This will only make them try harder to make you look bad in front of others. Try ignoring them when they have an audience or agree with them to get them to stop, such as by saying “You’re right, I am a terrible basketball player.” Later, when they do not have an audience, you can approach them to tell them to stop.
- Do not accept getting teased to fit in with the popular group! Some kids tolerate teasing to be accepted by a popular group of kids. If you are hoping they will stop teasing you as soon as they get to know you, it most likely will not happen.
- Do not hesitate to report the bullying or harassment! Many popular kids are very concerned about remaining popular, not only among their classmates but among their teachers. Mention what is happening to a teacher or counselor you trust. An adult talking with a student in this situation may be enough to stop it.