What do Steven Spielberg, Christian Bale, Taylor Swift, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson all have in common?
Besides the fact that they are all famous and successful, they all experienced childhood bullying. That's right, even Batman was a victim of bullying.
If you're being bullied, you're in good company and it’s not your fault. So don’t suffer alone— reach out and try taking these steps to respond.
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Ways to Stop Bullying
Studies show that adults are being bullied at rates similar to adolescents, with approximately one-third of adults experiencing bullying each year . While facts and statistics are interesting, they don't exactly help when you're in the thick of being bullied. The following four-step method will show you how to boost your confidence, protect yourself from harm, and find help as you respond to bullying.
Remember this isn't your fault. Write down all the great qualities that make you stand out from the crowd and refer to this list often.
Build your army. Surround yourself with people who care about you and appreciate you for who you are.
A bully is like a grizzly bear. When confronted, remember these tips: ignore the bully, have a buddy-system, and get out of there.
Find someone you can talk to. Speak out andopen up to someone you trust, such as a friend, mentor, or counselor.
Quiz
Which of the following recommended anti-bullying tactics should be your first response??
Additional Responses to Bullying
In addition to the four-step method listed above, here are some more tips to help you respond to bullying in the moment, after the incident, and over time.
In the Moment...
Walk Away: If possible, remove yourself from the situation immediately.
Say “Stop”: If it feels safe, tell the bully to stop in a firm but calm way. Use humor or a clever response to weaken the effect of the mean behavior.
Keep Cool: Try to control your emotions in the moment. Showing fear or anger may encourage the bully further.
Don’t Fight: Try not to fight or bully back in response—this may just continue the cycle of bad behavior.
We think this might be interesting for you: How To Work With People You Don't Like
After the Incident...
Tell a Friend: Don’t keep the bullying a secret. Tell a friend and ask for support. You will feel better and your friend can help you get assistance.
Report the Bullying: Report the bullying to someone. Others need to know about bullying behavior so they can support you and take action to stop it.
Over Time...
Find Safe Spaces: Try to avoid “danger zones” where bullying is likely to take place. Surround yourself with supportive friends whenever you can.
Practice Responding: Reflect on how you might react to bullying in the future and rehearse those responses. Think about what strategies have worked or fallen short.
Express Your Feelings: Keep a diary or journal—written, electronic or video—where you can record your private thoughts and feelings. It is important to express yourself, especially when you are going through a tough time.
Reach Out: Find new friends, hobbies or interests that occupy your time in positive ways and make you feel good about yourself. Avoid spending too much time on your own.
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Take Action
Everyone has the right to live in a safe and violence-free environment. If you are being bullied, remember that you're not alone and you're not helpless.
The tips shared in this Byte will help you feel empowered whether you are a victim of bullying yourself or know someone who is experiencing bullying.
The next time you experience or witness bullying, which of these methods will you use to respond?
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