Bullying Prevention

Types of Bullying

Adolescents across the region experience bullying both online and at school.

There are four main types of bullying: verbal bullying, social and emotional bullying, physical bullying, and cyberbullying.

Verbal bullying includes saying or writing mean things about someone.
Social and emotional bullying involves hurting someone’s reputation or causing humiliation.
Physical bullying involves hurting a person or damaging his or her possessions.
Cyberbullying, which is a new form of bullying, involves verbal, social, and emotional bullying electronically through an email, a text, or a social networking site.

Bullying can happen to anyone, anywhere. Typically, children at risk of being bulled are perceived as weak or different from their peers; are depressed or have low self-esteem; and have few friends. Children who tend to bully others like to dominate over their peers; are aggressive; and have less parental involvement.

There are important consequences to bullying and cyberbullying. Victims of bullying and bullies alike can experience depression and anxiety, a change in eating habits, lower academic achievement, substance abuse, and school absenteeism.

Families, schools, and the community can get involved to help reduce bullying. Parents and schools can build a safe environment to allow for open communication. Schools and communities can educate the public about bullying, and adopt policies that deter kids from engaging in the behavior. Communities can get involved by encouraging partnerships between businesses and target those most affected.

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Did You know?

Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online or by digital communication through text messages, instant messengers, social media, and/or other digital applications. According to Rhode Island Kids Count, 20 percent of middle school students (27 percent of females and 15 percent of males) and 13 percent of high school students (17 percent of females and 9 percent of males) reported being electronically bullied in Rhode Island in 2019.
Violence in schools affects individual victims and disrupts the functioning of entire schools and communities. In 2019, eight percent of Rhode Island high school students reported not going to school due to safety concerns.