Bullying is repeated aggressive behaviour that can be physical, verbal or online via social media. Someone being bullied can be in constant fear of when the bully will strike, how far they’ll go and what they will do. There are many ways and reasons people can be bullied.
Homophobic bullying: based on your sexual orientation.
Racist bullying: because of your skin colour.
Religious bullying: because of your beliefs or faith.
Sizeist bullying: referring to your body size.
Sexist bullying: focusing on you being of the opposite sex.
Cyber bullying: targeting you online, often anonymously.
According to Young Minds ‘Bullying can make you feel isolated and worthless, lonely, anxious, angry and lacking confidence. Some people who are being bullied develop depression, anxiety and eating problems. If you are experiencing problems like these because of bullying it is having an impact on your health.’ They suggest talking to your GP, who will keep your information private.
Last year, over one million children are bullied in the UK alone. A study form Warwick University consisted of more than 1,400 people between the age of 9 and 26. It concluded bullying should not be seen as a ‘harmless rite of passage’. The long-term impact of bullying on children was studied through three different groups. They were those who had been bullied, those who were bullies and those who carried out bullying and were victims themselves.
By their mid-20s the victims were more likely to be obese, no qualifications and no friends. The bullies were more likely to have been sacked from jobs, to be in a violent relationship and some involvement with risky and illegal behaviour.
During 2018 a survey including 9,150 young people ranged from ages 12-20 was taken. 22% have been bullied, 22% have witnessed bulling and 2% have bullied someone. 46% of those people had some relations with bullying. There are short and long term effects to bullying. Short term effects include barriers to learning, self-harm and experience of depression, are excluded and miss school.
Long term effects from King’s College London research include unemployment, obesity, a range of mental health issues and homelessness. When being bullied you should seek the assistance of a parent or adult you trust. There are websites designed to help people in need such as Childline.
