Sammi Webster Keegan Evanicki

I have seen and heard bullying. I do not and never will think that bullying is acceptable. In my opinion it is wrong on many levels and is very harmful, both physically and mentally damaging to anyone involved. There are many people who don’t know the full effects of bullying even though it effects so many people of all different ages. I am against bullying and anyone who bullies other people.

Some of the effects of bullying are depression; they start to feel lonely, unhappy, frightened, violence, and insecurities. Self confidence and self-esteem is also harmed when they are bullied. This makes them think that something is wrong with themselves. Also bullying and being so depressed all the time can make them feel sick. Anxiety goes along with the depression. If the depression gets bad enough some people commit suicide.

Physical bullying: This includes any physical contact that can hurt someone like hitting or kicking. Stealing something from someone and destroying it would also be considered physical bullying. Example: A senior beating up a freshman everyday for his lunch money. Verbal bullying: This includes any name calling, offensive remarks, or making fun of someone's race, gender, religion, looks, or sexuality. Example: Brace face, Four eyes, slut, etc. Indirect Bullying: This includes all rumors or lies that are told about another person behind their back. Telling others private information of someone else's without their knowledge. Example: Girls gossiping in the lunch room. Social alienation: This includes when the bully purposely excludes someone. Also when bullies make fun of others by pointing out their differences. Example: The “Popular” girls not letting a girl sit with them because she isn’t popular enough.

Intimidation: This includes a bully terrorizing his/her victim into doing what he or she wants. Example: threats, beatings, etc. Cyber bullying: This includes any bullying over technology. Text messaging, s, face book, twitter, etc. This is rising issue because technology is growing allowing more bullies. Example: Forwarding embarrassing photos of people.

General Bullying: -1 in 7 Students in Grades K-12 is either a bully or a victim of bullying. -56% of students have personally witnessed some type of bullying at school. -15% of all school absenteeism is directly related to fears of being bullied at school. -71% of students report incidents of bullying as a problem at their school. -282,000 students are physically attacked in secondary schools each month Suicide and Shooting: -87% of students said shootings are motivated by a desire to “get back at those who have hurt them.” -A new review of studies from 13 countries found signs of an apparent connection between bullying, being bullied, and suicide. (Yale School of Medicine) -In 2005 (the last year nationwide stats were available), 270 children in the age group killed themselves. (AAS) Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Students: -Nearly half (44.1 percent) reported being physically harassed -About a quarter (22.1 percent) reported being physically assaulted. -Who reported the incident, nearly one-third (31.1 percent) said the school staff did nothing in response w.html

Unexplainable injuries Lost or destroyed clothing, books, electronics, or jewelry Frequent headaches or stomach aches, feeling sick or faking illness Changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Kids may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch. Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares Declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork, or not wanting to go to school Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations Feelings of helplessness or decreased self esteem Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide

Get into physical or verbal fights Have friends who bully others Are increasingly aggressive Get sent to the principal’s office or to detention frequently Have unexplained extra money or new belongings Blame others for their problems Don’t accept responsibility for their actions Are competitive and worry about their reputation or popularity

4A Amanda Michelle Todd 11/27/96 –

Amanda Todd, a Vancouver-area teenager who posted a story to YouTube last month about being cyber-bullied, was found dead Wednesday night in Coquitlam, Canada. Authorities believe she committed suicide. Amanda's video tells a heart-wrenching story of the bullying she was subjected to -- both online and off. "In 7th grade," she begins, sharing her message on cue cards, "I would go with friends on webcam [to] meet and talk to new people." At one point, a stranger flattered her into flashing the camera. One year later, a man contacted her on Facebook, threatening to send around the picture of her topless "if [she] don't put on a show." Terrifyingly, the stranger knew everything about her: her address, school, friends, relatives, and the names of her family members. Soon, her naked photo had been forwarded "to everyone." Amanda developed anxiety, depression, and anxiety disorders, she says in the video, followed by a path into drugs and alcohol. She changed schools and found a new group of friends in an effort to leave behind the bullies. Then the man created a Facebook profile, using her uncensored photo as his profile picture. "Cried every night, lost all my friends and respect people had for me... again... then nobody liked me," she wrote in the video.

Based on the research that I have done on bullying has not changed my mind. If anything it has just made me even more against it. My researched showed me that a lot of innocent people are effected negatively. It has made me aware just how serious bullying is and can be.

Resources 4A signs/index.html s_new.html Google Images for all pictures