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Have you ever bullied someone else? Think about why you did it and how you were feeling at the time. Did you want to make yourself feel better? Did you feel the need to be better than anyone else? Did hurting others really make you feel better? If so, WHY?
You might think that others will like you better for acting badly and hurting them. But -- most bullies aren't liked, even if it starts out that way.
You think bullying is funny and it’s no big deal? You’re wrong. Bullying hurts!
Did you know that bullies are more likely to:
- Get into frequent fights
- Steal and vandalize property
- Drink alcohol and smoke
- Report poor grades which could result not getting into college
- When cyberbullying and getting caught could face arrest depending on the degree of the incident
- Perceive a negative climate at school
- Carry a weapon
That's definitely NOT cool!!!
In fact, there is not any form of bullying that is totally COOL!
What should you do if others say you are mean or a bully?
- Put yourself in other people's shoes. How would you feel if you were treated the way you treat others?
- Be a positive leader…real leaders treat others with kindness and respect.
- Be open to make apologies to people you have hurt.
Remember that although you may not like everyone, you should still treat others with respect!
Bullying is a serious problem. In fact, it's become a crisis!! Instead of being part of the problem, you can be part of the solution.
If you were really honest and you realize you truly are a bully, we send you a high-five! You have taken the first step by being truthful.
The next step gets a little harder – but it’s not impossible!
Learning kindness, compassion and respect will come easily once you’ve mastered it. It’s not difficult at all. Once you learn it, you can treat people nicely and you’ll see the rewards that treatment will bring.
Think about how your behavior affects other people. We’re all hurt at some point in our lives. Maybe not repeatedly like the way bullying hurts, but we have been hurt.
Close your eyes and think back to when someone hurt you.
Did anyone ever call you names? Has anyone ever pushed, hit you or stolen from you? Did anyone ever tease you, keep you out of a group or publicly humiliate you? Has anyone ever written things about you and posted it and/or posted negative pictures of you over the Internet, through email, texting or instant messaging? Has anyone ever threatened you?
It didn’t feel very good – did it?
Think about:
- What you did
- Why it was a bad thing
- Who you hurt
- What you were trying to accomplish
- How you will accomplish the same thing without hurting anyone
So what can you do not to be a bully anymore?
Think about how it must makes other feel.
BE COOL and take that second step!
TALK TO A TRUSTED ADULT. You may think you’ll get into trouble or that an adult won't understand, but they can help you!! If you can’t talk to your parents, try a teacher, guidance counselor or a school psychologist.
Visit the rest of our site and learn how you can STOMP Out Bullying™!
Feel free to contact us if you need help.
If you are between the ages of 13 - 24 and are being or have been bullied or cyberbullied and are going through a rough time because of it you can visit The STOMP Out Bullying HelpChat line
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