Types of bullying you should know about

Bullying is a lot more complex than you may think. As a teen, there are several types of bullying you might find yourself facing:

Physical bullying

This is the most obvious form of bullying and the easiest to identify - it's when a bigger, stronger or more aggressive person physically attacks a target in some way. Like all forms of bullying, it can sometimes involve multiple aggressors (or targets).

Verbal attacks

Verbal bullies use words as weapons to gain control or power over their chosen target. They often single out those who seem 'different' in how they look, act or dress. This kind of bullying is more common than physical bullying but harder to pin down, since it often occurs when nobody else is around. In many ways, verbal bullying can be even more dangerous than a physical attack because its effects can leave deep emotional scars and mess up the victim's self-esteem.

Cyberbullying

This is bullying that happens online. It can involve anything from sending hurtful texts, photos or videos to spreading vicious rumours on social media or posting threatening messages. With tech on the rise, it's a growing problem and especially serious because it's harder to escape from than face-to-face bullying. Being a cyberbullying victim can feel overwhelming and never-ending. The Internet makes it easier for perpetrators to feel insulated or detached from their cruelty and in some cases, the victim may not even know exactly who is bullying them.

Sexual bullying

Sexual bullying comes in many forms: sexting, uninvited touching, sexual name-calling, propositioning, crude gestures, vulgar comments, exposing the victim to pornographic material, etc. Sexual bullying is harmful, repeated and humiliating to the target. In some cases, it can be a stepping stone to sexual assault.

Bullying based on prejudice

Some bullies target those they see as different because of their race, religion or sexual orientation. This repeated abuse can expand into other forms of bullying and can often be quite severe, leading to major emotional distress for the target.

Emotional bullying (relational aggression)

This kind of social manipulation is the 'sneakiest' kind of bullying. The bully spreads rumours, ostracises the target from a particular group, breaks confidences or manipulates situations to hurt the victim's social standing and boost their own.

Don't be afraid to ask for help. Talk to a trusted adult or call Kids Helpline - 1800 55 1800 - they're free, 24/7 and talk to about 6000 young people a week about all sorts of issues.