Physical Bullying: Definition, Effects, and Prevention
Physical bullying is a type of bullying where someone uses their body or an object to hurt or scare someone else. Physical bullying also includes damaging someone's property.
Preventing physical bullying helps students feel physically and mentally safe. Learn more about the effects of physical bullying and how to prevent it.
Types of Bullying
Bullying is unwanted, repeated acts or gestures by a person or group. The goal of bullying is to scare, ridicule, embarrass, or hurt the targeted person.
There are three main types of bullying: physical, verbal, and social.
Physical bullying is when someone uses their body or an object to hurt or scare another person.
Verbal bullying is when someone uses words to hurt or scare another person.
Social bullying is when someone tries to hurt another person's relationships or reputation.
Cyberbullying is verbal or social bullying through instant messaging, social gaming sites, email, texting, or social media.
What is Physical Bullying?
Physical bullying is a type of bullying where someone uses their body or an object to hurt or scare another person. A bully may also steal or damage the targeted person's property.
Examples of physical bullying include:
Hitting
Shoving
Tripping
Kicking
Pinching
Spitting
Stealing or destroying someone's belongings
Aggressive Behavior and Bullying
Not all aggressive behaviors are bullying. Physical fights, dating violence, hazing, stalking, and criminal harassment are types of aggressive behavior that don't always fit the definition of bullying.
Sometimes, aggressive behavior is called bullying because the bully is a school-aged child. The same behavior would be considered a crime when the person is a young adult.
Knowing the difference between physical bullying and other types of aggressive behavior is important because they should be handled differently.
Other Forms of Aggressive Behavior
Physical Fighting
Sometimes physical fighting and bullying get mixed up. Bullying is a repeated act, so a single fight is not bullying. But it can be a sign of bullying.
Teen Dating Violence
Teen dating violence is physical, emotional, verbal, financial, or sexual abuse in a relationship between teenagers. If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship violence, these resources can help.
Hazing
Hazing is when a group requires new members to participate in embarrassing, dangerous, or illegal activities.
Stalking
Stalking is a crime, and laws about it vary from state to state. Stalking is repeatedly following someone, contacting someone, and/or damaging someone's belongings. The goal is to scare or threaten a targeted person.
Harassment
The term harassment is typically used when the behavior is a crime. The legal definition of harassment varies from state to state. The definition of harassment overlaps with the definition of bullying.
Harassment is repeated unwelcomed or threatening behavior, including physical assault, threats, offensive comments, or intimidation.
High school students can learn how to handle bullying and harassment in our anti-bullying education program: Bullying: Imbalance of Power.
The Effects of Physical Bullying
Physical bullying does not just lead to injuries. All forms of bullying affect the targeted person's emotional and mental health.
A target of bullying has a higher risk for depression and anxiety. They may experience the physical symptoms of stress, including sleep problems, headaches, and stomachaches.
Both bullies and students targeted by a bully have a higher risk for mental health disorders and behavioral problems. Mental health is essential to a student's learning and academic success. Creating an anti-bullying school environment helps all students succeed.
Schedule an anti-bullying program with McMillen Health today.
Preventing Physical Bullying
Education is the first step in creating an anti-bullying environment. Teachers, administrators, and parents need training to identify and respond to bullying behavior.
Children need education on how to label bullying behavior and react to it. Anti-bullying programs also help students develop empathy for others who are targeted by bullies.
Keep reading for tips on how adults in schools, parents, and students can take steps to prevent bullying.
For Adults in School Settings
#1 Stop the behavior.
If you witness bullying behavior, address it immediately. This sends a message to the bully and bystanders.
Do not "call out" the bully in a way that shames or embarrasses them.
#2 Enforce consequences.
Consequences need to be enforced promptly and consistently for anyone who is bullying.
#3 Maintain confidentiality.
Adults shouldn't share the names of targets or bystanders who report bullying.
Meet with students privately to discuss bullying behavior.
#4 Refer to a counselor.
Students who are targets of bullying may need extra support from the school counselor.
#5 Contact parents/guardians.
Partnering with families is an effective way to prevent bullying.
#6 Encourage positive behavior.
Modeling and reinforcing positive behavior will encourage students.
For Parents
#1 Have intentional conversations about bullying.
Talk about bullying and important interpersonal topics during mealtimes or car rides.
Remind your child that they can come to you with their problems.
#2 Encourage your child to talk to a trusted adult.
Make sure your child knows the other trusted adults in their life. They could be family members, teachers, counselors, coaches, and religious leaders.
#3 Get to know your child's friends and classmates.
Ask your child about their friends and classmates.
Introduce yourself to your child's friends. You can be a trusted adult in their lives.
#4 Know your responsibilities.
Parents can be legally liable if their child bullies. Learn more about parent responsibilities.
Bullying Prevention: What Doesn't Work
Telling students not to tattle
Expecting students to handle bullying without adults' help
Ignoring bullying
For Students
Students can use anti-bullying practices students to create positive environments.
#1 Don't bully.
Teachers and parents need to teach students about bullying behavior. Anti-bullying education programs can help.
#2 If it's safe, help when someone is being bullied.
Students can talk to the target of bullying and offer support.
Students can include someone who appears left out.
Students should only intervene if a situation is safe. If the situation is not safe, they need to find an adult.
#3 Report bullying to a trusted adult.
What to Do If You are Being Bullied
Are you wondering if someone is bullying you? Bullying is when someone repeatedly tries to hurt, scare, or embarrass you. Bullying is also when someone steals or destroys your belongings.
You should start by talking to a trusted adult. You can write down details, too, so it's easier to report.
You are not tattling if what happened to you is harmful. Tattling means you want someone to get in trouble. Reporting a bully means you need an adult's help.
If the adult you talk to does not help or doesn't seem to believe you, you should find another adult you trust.
Resources for Physical Bullying
Anti-Bullying Education Programs
Using high-tech media rooms, our health educators can reach classrooms anywhere with an internet connection. If you want to learn more about McMillen Health's anti-bullying programs, please visit our program page or call us at 1-888-240-7268.
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