Please+Stop+Picking+on+Me

=Bullying =

= = [|Bullying] is a form of abuse that is put onto an individual due to another individuals actions. Bullying is and ongoing issue that can affect individuals of any age, race, gender, or appearance. There are many ways in which individuals can be bullied and many reasons why bullies harm their victims. As a response to bullying, there are many coping mechanisms that individuals use in order to escape the threats, humiliation, and taunts that bullies bring upon their victims.

=General Information about Bullying =

Bullying is an abusive behavior that leads to greater violent acts of cruelty; today this act of bullying is better known as "peer child abuse". Approximately one in four children each day are victims of bullies during the school day. It is an international issue that many individuals, unfortunately, experience during their lifetime whether they were the victim of a bully or knew of an individual who was bullied. Bullying can occur in any environment, such as a school, playground, home or work and can affect children as well as adults. Bullying is an issue that should not be taken lightly, however eighty five percent of bullying incidents go unnoticed which can ultimately affect an individual physically, emotionally, and mentally.

=Types of Bullying =

Bullying is an act that comes in many forms, however the four most prevalent forms of bullying include: [|physical],[| verbal], [|internet], and [|emotional]. Each type of bullying is equally important to watch out and try to prevent.
 * **__Physical Bullying__:** Physical bullying is when an individual physically contacts another individual in a way in which they harm the victim. This includes kicking, punching, scratching, pushing, anything that may injure or cause harm to the victim. Damaging an individuals belongings or taking them away from a person constitutes as physically bullying as well. Physical bullying affects approximately 30.5% of individuals in middle school.
 * **__Verbal Bullying__:** Verbal bullying involves individuals being called names, making offensive remarks regarding race,gender, religion, et cetera. Verbal bullying is the most common form of bullying which affects about 46.5% of individuals in middle school.
 * **__Internet/Cyber Bullying__:** Cyber bullying is bullying that is communicated via electronic devices such as the internet, texting, email or phone calls. Sending pictures, and messages through this outlet is a form of bullying. The percentage of individuals affected by cyber bullying is increasing rapidly due to the advance of technology.
 * __**Emotional Bullying**__**:** The spread of rumors and stories of an individual, or sharing private information with the public is considered emotional bullying. This type of bullying is also known as indirect bullying. This form of bullying affects approximately 18.5% of individuals in middle school.

=Effects of Bullying =

There are short and long term effects that bullying has on individuals. The effects that bullying has on victims are negative academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and psychologically. To begin, individuals who are being bullied undergo many mental and physical health consequences. This health risks include anxiety, sleep difficulties, low self-esteem, and overall tension throughout their day. Due to these health problems it becomes more difficult for a child to feel welcomed into a community because they have become isolated from every other individual due to their illness. If the bullying worsens, these health risks turn into depression,and high anxiety disorders. Victims of bullying also approach problems socially due to their anxiety and lack of self confidence. They think so lowly of them self that they isolate themselves from other peers. Finding individuals to befriend becomes hard because not many children want to be friends with a victim for fear of being bullied themselves. Once the isolation began it becomes difficult for victims to attend school for fear of being bullied or rejected. If one is bullied enough this is could turn deadly. Some victims of bullying have put up with the issue for long enough that they can no longer stand around to take the threats, the hits, or the verbal abuse. They wish to leave a world where they feel unwelcome, and the pain of isolation and rejection becomes unbearing. This, unfortunately, leads to suicide or attempted suicide.

=Ways to Prevent Bullying =

There are many ways in which individuals can help prevent bullying in today's society. No matter how big or small the gesture is, making people aware of bullying and how they can help stop the issue will benefit individuals who face bullying on a daily basis.

-Spreading Awareness of Bullying is one way in which individuals can help prevent bullying. media type="youtube" key="ME_w57OWl0s" height="390" width="640" This video courtesy of [|The Ellen DeGeneres Show] as well as many other clips from her show provides an example of how bullying either affected a celebrity as they grew up or why they feel that making others aware of bullying is important.

-Create a Bullying Prevention Program in your school. All this takes is students with the mindset to change the future, a counselor, and a teacher. Creating a group can help enforce the rules against harming other students.

-Becoming educated about bullying and how it affects individuals. By reading books about bullying or articles about what bullying is doing to individuals today, it is clear to see that bullying is becoming an increasing large issue. Some books that talk about bullying and personal stories of individuals include: [|Please Stop Laughing at Me], or Please Stop Laughing at Us.

One important thing that everyone can do to stop Bullying from occurring is by reporting when you see an incident occur. Ignoring the problem will only make matters worse, if you do not speak now, you may never have the second opportunity to voice your concern again.