Aries Magazine December 2013 / January 2014 Issue | Page 134

HOW TO

How To

Stop Being
Bullied
Bullying isn’t something that
just happens in movies and
books. It’s a real problem that
many kids encounter on a daily
basis, and it can become dangerous if it isn’t stopped. Learn
how to put a stop to bullying
by taking immediate action,
knowing where to go for help,
and setting a good example for
others.

Look the bully in
the eye and tell
him or her to stop

If a bully is teasing
you in a way you don’t like,
insulting you, or physically
threatening you, sometimes eye
contact and a calm, clear “no”
is the right way to defuse the
situation. Tell the bully that you
are not OK with the treatment
you’re receiving, and make it
clear that it has to end immediately.

If it’s appropriate, try to
use laughter to lighten the tension. Bullies usually try to get
a rise out of the person they’re
bullying, so if you show the
person your skin is too thick
for that, he or she may give up
and leave you alone.

Don’t raise your voice
when you’re telling the bully
to stop. This could provoke the
bully to keep teasing you to get
an even stronger reaction.

DEC 2013 & JAN 2014

/

ARIES

Avoid escalating
the situation

Teasing the bully by
calling him or her names or
threatening to fight is only
going to make things worse.
Don’t yell or take steps toward
physical violence. The bully
will likely respond with increased bullying, and you risk
getting in as much trouble or
he or she does if you’re caught
participating in the situation.

Know when to walk
away

If the situation seems
threatening or dangerous, it’s
best to disengage. Turn around
and walk away from the bully.
At a certain point, reasoning
with him or her isn’t going to
make a difference.

If you’re worried for
your safety, walk to a teacher
or counselor you trust to help
you handle the situation.
Avoid further contact with the
bully until you’ve taken other
steps to end the bullying.
133

Don't respond to
cyberbullying
attacks.

If you’re being bullied by someone via text, your
Facebook page, your website, emails, or another online
space, do not respond to the
bully. Provocation is especially
counterproductive in a situation
where the bully is anonymous.
Instead of responding to the
bully, take these measures:
Save the evidence. Don’t delete
threatening emails, messages
or texts. You may need to have
them if things get worse.
Block the bully. If the person
is known to you, block him or
her from your Facebook, erase
him or he ??????????????)???????????????????????????????????????????????????Q???)?????????????????????)????????????????????%????)??????????????????????)???????????????????($)
????????????????)?????????????????????????????????????????????M???)?????????????????????)???????????????????????)???????????????????????(???()I%L((?()???????)8?????((0