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The 411 On Bullying: 4 Different Types Of This Common Behavior

26 May 2016

Alexandre Côté

Many children face ridicule and name-calling at school and in other social situations. However, this behavior has become a more serious and dangerous problem for children, teens, and adults. Considering one out of every four students report a bullying problem, your child may also face a bully at one point in time at school. Thankfully, understanding this behavior can help determine if your child is dealing with a bully. If you are a parent who wants to protect your child, consider using this guide to understand the 4 types of bullying.

Verbal

Verbal is the most common type of bullying, but the behavior involves more than name-calling. If your child is experiencing name-calling and the following, they are most likely dealing with verbal bullying:

• Teasing
• Insults
• Other Hurtful Comments
• Derogatory Remarks Regarding Race, Gender, Sexual Preference, or Religion

Physical

While surprising to hear, many children experience physical bullying at school. Teachers and administrators will work hard to prevent this physical abuse, but they will not be able to monitor students each second of the day.

Hitting, pushing, tripping, and shoving are all acts that may occur with physical bullying. In addition, if a student is throwing objects at your child, they are experiencing physical bullying.

Social

Also known as covert bullying, social bullying is a behavior that can damage your child's reputation among peers. This form of bullying is more difficult to see, but it involves spreading rumors and encouraging others to treat your child poorly.

Social bullying also includes embarrassing your child among other people by mimicking and telling jokes to humiliate them.

Cyber

In most cases, your child will have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone. These devices may be excellent for conducting research for school, playing games, streaming music, and interacting with friends and family, but they can also increase you child's risk of cyber bullying.

Cyber bullying occurs when individuals use technology to threaten, ridicule, embarrass, and harass others. Here are a few signs that your child is being cyber bullied:

• Distress – Children who are cyber bullied will show emotional or physical distress immediately after being on the Internet or phone.
• Secretive – If your child seems overly protective of their technological devices, they may be hiding humiliating or mean comments or pictures shared on social media or email.
• Withdrawal – Many children who deal with cyber bullying will withdraw from friends, family, and their interests. They may also lose interest in using their phones, computers, and tablets, since they will want to avoid social media.
• Depression – Depression is common in bullied children, so your child may display signs of the condition. Loss of appetite, problems at school, sleepiness, and talks of suicide are all key signs of depression.

The different types of bullying may be worrisome, but proper understanding can help you diagnose a bullying problem. If you feel your child is dealing with one or more types of bullying, talk with them and school administrators immediately. Use resources like The Bully Corporation to your advantage, too.

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