What Are The 4 Different Types Of Bullying? (And How To Prevent Them)

No one wants their child to have to deal with bullies. The good news is that today, bullying is recognized in schools more than it has been in the past, and prevention is a key focus. Still, as a parent, it’s vital to understand that bullying isn’t simply one type of behavior, but several – each with its own characteristics and actions that can hurt your child in different ways.

So what are the four different types of bullying, and how can you prevent them as a parent? Read on to learn more.

What Is Bullying?
Bullying is hurtful behavior that happens in relationships with an imbalance of strength or power. The actions of the bully happen on a repeated basis and can take many forms. In fact, there are four distinct bullying categories: verbal, physical, social, and cyberbullying.

Schools are doing what they can to recognize and thwart bullying, but it’s also important for parents to get involved, learn how to identify bullying, and support and empower their kids to speak up about it.

1. Verbal Bullying
Verbal bullying is perhaps one of the most recognizable forms of bullying. It occurs when someone speaks cruelly and often involves calling names, making threats, or making disrespectful comments about things that children cannot change about themselves, such as the way they look, disabilities they have, or their sexual orientation.

Signs that your child may be experiencing verbal bullying include them becoming moody or withdrawn. They may show a change in things such as their appetite, or mention something someone has said to them and ask you if it’s true.

If you’re noticing these signs in your child, you’re probably wondering how to prevent bullying as a parent. When it comes to verbal bullying, you should make sure that your child’s confidence isn’t taking a hit. After you contact the school or the parents of the bully to address your concerns, you should make sure you’re fostering feelings of independence and confidence in your child. Talk about constructive ways they can address what the bully is saying to them. Let your kid know you are on their side and that they have your full support.

2. Physical Bullying
Physical bullying occurs when a bully gets physically aggressive with your child. It often involves acts such as pushing, hitting, blocking, touching, tripping, or kicking. It can make your child feel violated and unsafe, and presents a risk of injury, which means it requires fast intervention.

Your child may tell you that they’re being physically bullied, or they may show it to you in other, more subtle ways. If you notice unexplained injuries or they complain often of stomachaches or headaches, you may want to try to dig a little deeper to figure out what is going on.

As a parent who suspects their child may be being physically bullied, you’ll no doubt be desperate to do something – and you can. Ask them what is going on, keeping your own emotions in check when you do. Document the dates and times of the incidents and contact the school so something can be done about it. If that doesn’t work to resolve the issue, you may need to get law enforcement involved. In many places, there are anti-bullying laws that can help.

3. Social Bullying
What is social bullying? It is bullying where exclusionary tactics are used to prevent a child from being a part of a group or activity. It could be something like sitting at a lunch table, participating in a game, or some other social activity.

A child may be experiencing social bullying if you notice withdrawal from peer activities or groups they used to enjoy, if they seek out time alone more than usual, or if they undergo mood changes. If you’re concerned, talk with your kid about their day each day, and point out the things about them that are positive. You can help them to build relationships outside of school as well as with various clubs or activities.

4. Cyberbullying
With the rise in popularity of online platforms and social media for kids, cyberbullying is as big a problem as ever. It occurs when someone online harasses, spreads lies or rumors, or makes mean social media posts about your child.

What are examples of cyberbullying? One example is sending out emails, text messages, or posts with false information, often rooted in homophobia, sexism, or racism. Cyberbullying creates a hostile atmosphere for the person being targeted and can become a serious issue.

If your child spends a lot of time online and appears to be anxious or sad afterward, they may be being cyberbullied. Sometimes they may not want to go to school or may withdraw from activities they once liked.

The main problem with cyberbullying is that it can impact your child’s life 24/7, since the internet never sleeps. That’s why it’s important to monitor your child’s internet use and have rules about what sites and apps they can and cannot use. Talk to them about cyberbullying and how to respond to it. You can also report incidents to the school or online service providers.

If you suspect your child is being bullied, it’s important to take action. Talk to their school about it and do what you can to ensure your child feels heard, safe, and supported with you on their side.

Featured image by Lucas Metz on Unsplash