Lookist - This is bullying someone because they look different, for example if they have ginger hair or wear glasses.
Sexist - This is treating people differently just because they're female or male. For example, making fun of a girl because you think boys are better than girls. Or saying that boys can't do certain things.
Religious - This is bullying someone because of their religion or faith. It could be making fun of their religious traditions like reading a bible, praying at a mosque or visiting a temple. It could also be treating someone without respect because of their religion.
Xenophobic - This is when someone treats others badly or without respect because they’re from a different country. It could also mean not giving people equal opportunities or attacking them because of where they're from.
Disabilist - This is bullying someone because they have a disability, or using offensive language to describe people who have a disability.
HOW TO GET HELP
Bullying is nasty. And it can make you feel bad about yourself. But there are ways you can pick yourself up and feel good about who you are. That might not make the bullying stop right away. But often being confident can help get the bullying stopped over time.
Try something new for the first time
It could be anything, even something small like putting your hand up in a lesson to answer a question. You'll start to realise that you can actually do things you didn’t think you could do. Keep trying little new things. And you’ll feel gradually more confident.
Write down some things you like about yourself
Everyone has positive things about who they are. So write down yours. It could be your taste in music. Or the fact that you’re a good listener.
Do something nice for someone
You could give someone a compliment. Or you could help at home with some chores. Doing something nice for someone can really help you feel better about yourself.
Get lots more tips on how you can build confidence.
Practise being assertive
Being assertive means being able to stand up for yourself without being aggressive. If you’re assertive, you can say what you really think without being pushy or rude.
Sometimes it can be hard to say what you really feel, especially if it means disagreeing with someone else. You can practise being assertive by writing down what you want to say, and choosing the right time to say it. Over time, being a bit more assertive can really help get bullying stopped. Find out more about being assertive.
Block the bully
Some phones will let you block numbers. You can also block, delete or unfriend other users on lots of social networking sites. Stopping them from contacting you could help you feel less stressed and upset. You can also change your walk home or avoid them in school to stop them talking to you.
FEELING ANGRY?
Don’t fight back
You could get in trouble or hurt if you fight back against people involved in bullying. There’s no shame in not fighting back.
Don’t reply to an abusive message
Replying to an abusive message could make the bullying worse. And it could end up upsetting you more.
It's a good idea to save these messages so that you can show them to a teacher or another adult. Check out our tips about staying safe online.
BANTER OR BULLYING?
If you're being called names or you've fallen out with your friends it might feel like you're stuck or that people are against you. Even if people say it's just banter or jokes, it can still hurt. But things can get better.
Look at our tips for building your confidence and being assertive – these can help you make friends, feel confident and say how you feel. And don't forget you can always contact our trained counsellors for support.
