Subjects
Grades
How to Deal with Different Forms of Bullying
Concept sheet | Study tips
Bullying is when someone deliberately says or does things to hurt, harm, isolate, threaten, control, or punish someone else. This behaviour is completely different from friendly teasing. In cases of bullying, the victim feels significant distress due to hurtful actions or words. Sometimes, bullying is overt and direct, while other times, it can be more subtle and indirect. Here are some insights to help you better understand the different forms of bullying.
Secondary
1-5
Table of contents
Feeling safe is vital for active school engagement. Regardless of the form, bullying is unacceptable. If you witness or if you are a victim of bullying, talk to people you trust who can help you, either at home or at school. You can also reach out to Tel-jeunes. Whether by phone, text, chat, or on their anonymous forum, they can support you.
Table of contents
Direct Bullying
Direct bullying occurs when the person bullying directly inflicts verbal or physical harm on a victim. Here are examples of direct bullying:
-
Following someone every evening after they get off the bus to intimidate them (harassment)
-
Using guilt, threats, or other tactics to control someone's actions or emotions (emotional manipulation)
-
Insulting someone (verbal bullying)
-
Physically harming someone (physical bullying)
-
etc.
Indirect Bullying
Indirect bullying takes place in the absence of the victim. Violent behaviors are concealed, disguised, and harder to identify. Here are examples of indirect bullying:
-
Talking negatively about someone behind their back to make them lose friends (social exclusion)
-
Repeatedly ignoring someone (passive aggression)
-
Spreading rumours about another person to harm their reputation
-
etc.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying occurs when someone uses technology to harm another person. It's still bullying, but it’s happening on the Internet. Here are examples of cyberbullying:
-
Posting embarrassing photos of someone to humiliate them
-
Commenting, liking, and interacting with posts that aim to ridicule someone, without direct involvement
-
Creating fake profiles to impersonate someone else or send offensive messages
-
etc.