Did You Know?

Youth can take action by telling the student being bullied that they are not alone, inviting them to join in an activity, or helping them tell someone.

It was in the 17th century that the word’s meaning changed to “fine fellow” and then later to “harasser of the weak.”

– “Bully.” Online Etymology Dictionary.” 2001-2010. Accessed: May 21, 2011.

This number has increased significantly since 2020 when it was 290 million and 2015 when it was 101 million.

If you’re being bullied or see bullying happens, it a good idea to tell an adult so that they know what’s happening and can help. Telling is not the same as tattling, telling is done to protect yourself or another student from harm.

If you are being bullied, it’s important to know that no one deserves to be bullied and that you are not alone.

It’s important to recognize that bullying can happen to ANYONE.

It’s important for bystanders to report any bullying they see, as most bullying will not stop without adult intervention.

43% of bullied students report notifying an adult at school about the incident. Students who report higher rates of bullying victimization are more likely to report bullying. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2016).

Bullying happens on social media, but it also happens in gaming, texts, and group chats—all of which are available to young kids.

Most definitions state that bullying behavior is repeated, but sometimes even a single incident can be considered bullying, such as a single post online that can reach thousands of people.

Often, students who exhibit bullying behavior have been bullied themselves. The student who was bullied on the bus this morning might be the one who makes fun of a younger student that afternoon.

A disagreement or argument (conflict) is when both sides express their views. People don’t always agree, but it’s not bullying if they can respectfully share what they think without putting down the other person.

If you are experiencing treatment from a friend that hurts you, and you have asked that friend to stop but it still continues, then that is not friendship. That behavior could be bullying.

Bullying often takes place outside the view of adults. It can happen in the classroom when the teacher leaves the room, on the playground where only kids are, or in online spaces that adults don’t access. Adults can only help if they know it’s happening, which makes it really important to report bullying situations.

Every state in the nation has a law that prevents bullying in schools, and they often include a rule about your school posting and sharing its own bullying policy. If you don’t know your school’s policy, ask your teacher about it.

Why is self-advocacy so important in addressing bullying? Self-advocacy helps you:

• Gain confidence to take action
• Identify the help you need
• Ask others to get involved
• Make choices with a positive impact