Avoid Being Bullied In Singapore

avoid being bullied in singapore

Jade Heng
Academic Director, Top Tutors
MScEd (University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education)
​PhD candidate Oxford University

Avoid Being Bullied In Singapore

What Is Bullying?

Bullying is when a person or group intimidates someone.

Sometimes, bullies make fun of people who they think are weaker than they are, or who don’t fit in according to what they prefer in:

  1. Appearance (how the person looks or dresses)
  2. Behaviour (the actions of the person)
  3. Race
  4. Religion
  5. Social status (whether the person is popular, rich, or intelligent)

Types of Bullying Behavior:

  1. Physical bullying. This includes intimidation when the bully physically hits their target(s), and might be in the form of shoving, punching, slapping, or tripping. Any method of touching that the target does not want can be a form of bullying, and possible sexual assault
  2. Verbal bullying. The intimidator might be taunting or cruelly teasing the target
  3. Psychological bullying. Gossiping or purposely excluding people to make them feel bad about themselves constitute psychological bulling
  4. This happens when bullies use the internet, social media and messaging services to say things that they may not say in person to their targets. This can include sending mean texts, posting insults, making rude comments. Cyberbullies might also post personal information like contact details (phone number, email address, residential address), pictures, or videos intended to hurt or embarrass their target

What Are The Effects Of Being Bullied?

Bullying rarely happens just once.

It is often repeated over and over again.

This makes adults and teens:

  1. Feel afraid, depressed, anxious, stressed
  2. Start to have thoughts about suicide, or self-harm
  3. Have difficulty in focusing on their homework or work
  4. Experience problems with mood, energy level, sleep, and appetite
  5. Begin to feel withdrawn
  6. Think that the world hates them as much as the bully does

What Types Of People Are Bullies?

Guys or girls can be bullies.

They might do it by themselves, or in a group.

Bullies usually are:

  1. Outgoing and aggressive. They might directly make fun of you, or physically hurt you
  2. Quiet and sneaky. They would try to secretly manipulate you, and might anonymously start a damaging rumour so that they can destroy your confidence and reputation
  3. Friendly and fake. They would pretend to be your friend so that you tell them your secrets. They would then do hurtful things when you are not around

Typical Characteristics Of Bullies

  1. They like to control others
  2. They are focused on their own needs
  3. They have poor social skills and have difficulty in getting along with people
  4. They do not care about the needs of others, or lack empathy
  5. They often feel insecure, and bully others so that they can feel better about themselves

Some bullies do not understand social emotions like guilt, empathy, compassion, or regret.

Their conditions might improve after they seek help from professionals like counselors, social workers, psychiatrists, or psychologists.

How Can I Prevent Bullying?

You can:

  1. Tell a trusted adult. Parents, teachers, or coaches can confront the bully without the bully ever knowing how they found out about it. It is important to report bullying if the intimidation leads to physical danger and harm. Stalking, making threats, and actual physical attacks are very serious, and when no action is taken against the bully, the bully will have the courage to be more and more violent
  2. Ignore the bully and walk away. Bullies like getting a reaction. If you are able to walk away or ignore them, you are telling them that they are not important to you and that you do not care
  3. Maintain your composure. Using this type of attitude and body language tells the bully that you are not vulnerable
  4. Don’t get physical. You might get hurt, or get into trouble if you try to fight a bully. When you are feeling frustrated that you are being bullied or was bullied, you can choose healthier emotional outlets like exercising
  5. Try to talk to the bully. Tell them that their behaviour is serious and harmful to themselves
  6. Practice confidence. Keep rehearsing how to respond to the bully either verbally, or through your behaviour. Practice feeling good about yourself, even if you have to fake it at first
  7. Talk about it. You might feel better if you can find someone to confide in – like a guidance counselor, teacher, colleague, or friend. They can give you the support that you need. Talking can be a good way to release some of the fears and frustrations that can build up when you are being bullied
  8. Find your sincere friends. If you have been bullied through rumours or gossip, tell your friends so that they can help you feel safe and secure. Avoid being alone, particularly when the bullying keeps happening

Most people have been bullied or felt that they were being bullied, at least once in their lives.

You are not alone.

Use any of the methods that we have just described, and we hope that you will be able to cope better.

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