What is Bullying Bullies harass and terrorize their victims, driving many into depression and isolation. Victims later become perpetrators of violence themselves. In extreme cases, victims strike back with deadly force, as they have in recent acts of multiple murder in schools. Early prevention is essential.
Bullying can be direct or indirect and varies between boys and girls.
Direct bullying is the kind of action the word generally brings to mind, including physical violence, taunting and teasing, threats of violence, and extortion or theft. In recent years, the academic definition of bullying has been expanded to include indirect bullying, such as name calling, spreading rumors, and exclusion from a peer group. Indirect bullying socially isolates children. Both forms of bullying occur repeatedly and over a prolonged time. Boys typically engage in direct bullying while girls tend to use indirect methods, though girls are less frequently either bullies or victims.