Sometimes people who bully do not understand what hurt they are causing.
Most people who bully do it because they need to feel more powerful – maybe they have been bullied themselves or maybe there are other things going wrong in their lives and this is a way to make themselves feel better. The trouble is, the feeling of power does not last very long – so then they have to do it again.
If you are bullying someone, think about the these things:
- How would you feel if it was you on the receiving end? How would you feel if it was your little brother or sister?
- What other things are going on in your life that you need to get power this way? What could you do about them? Who could help you?
- What might happen to you if you carry on? If you get excluded from school, or get into trouble with the police, how might that affect your life?
- It takes more courage to admit you are bullying someone and to ask for help than it does to bully someone – are you tough enough?