We’ve covered the subject of bullying many times on Baby Gizmo. As a matter of fact, we’ve made multiple music videos tackling this sensitive subject from our original viral parodies “Nothin’ Holding Me Back” and “In My Feelings” about bullying from the child’s perspective to one that was a message to the parents called “Memories”.

With back-to-school season upon us, we know that bullying is a topic that we need to keep revisiting. Why? Because it’s still happening at a rampant pace whether kids are in the classrooms or virtual learning and those who are bullied are NOT okay.

This new music video is a PSA that shows bullying comes in all forms. It’s not just the kid, who for whatever reason wants to pick on or torment your kid, but can be the former best friend that had a falling out with your child and becomes the bully. While all types of bullying are harmful, this former best friend kind can sometimes go undetected by parents. It’s important to pay attention to what is happening in your child’s life (especially in middle school!) so that you can spot the signs of bullying before they do serious damage.

Enjoy our parody and please share with your friends so that we can get spread awareness.

What to Watch Out for with Teenage Bullying

Bullying is a serious problem that affects many young people, especially teenagers. Bullying can take many forms, such as physical, verbal, social, or online harassment. Bullying can have negative consequences for the mental and physical health of those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying.

What is Teenage Bullying?

Teenage bullying is when someone repeatedly and intentionally hurts, humiliates, or excludes another person of the same age or developmental level. Teenage bullying can happen anywhere, such as at school, on the bus, in the park, online, or through text messages.

Some examples of teenage bullying are:

Name-calling, teasing, or insulting someone
Spreading rumors or lies about someone
Excluding someone from a group or activity
Hitting, kicking, pushing, or tripping someone
Taking or damaging someone’s belongings
Threatening or intimidating someone
Sending mean or embarrassing messages or images to someone
Posting hateful or hurtful comments about someone on social media

Why Does Teenage Bullying Happen?

There is no single reason why some teenagers bully others. Some possible factors that may contribute to teenage bullying are:

Peer pressure: Some teenagers may bully others to fit in with a group or to gain popularity or status.
Power imbalance: Some teenagers may bully others who they perceive as weaker, different, or less influential than them.
Personal issues: Some teenagers may bully others to cope with their own problems, such as low self-esteem, family conflicts, academic difficulties, or mental health issues.
Lack of empathy: Some teenagers may bully others because they do not understand or care about how their actions affect others.
Media influence: Some teenagers may bully others because they are exposed to violence, aggression, or disrespect in movies, games, music, or news.

How to Stop Teenage Bullying?

Teenage bullying can be prevented and stopped by taking action from different perspectives. Here are some tips for different roles:

For Those Who Are Bullied

If you are being bullied, you are not alone and you do not deserve it. You have the right to feel safe and respected. Here are some things you can do:

Speak up: Tell the person who is bullying you to stop in a calm and confident way. If you feel unsafe or uncomfortable doing this, tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, counselor, or coach. They can help you deal with the situation and protect you from further harm.
Get support: Talk to someone who cares about you and understands what you are going through. This can be a friend, a family member, a mentor, or a helpline. They can offer you emotional support and practical advice.
Take care of yourself: Bullying can affect your self-esteem and well-being. Try to do things that make you happy and healthy, such as hobbies, sports, music, art, meditation, or reading. Avoid drugs and alcohol as they can make things worse.
Report it: If the bullying happens at school or online, report it to the authorities. Schools have policies and procedures to prevent and address bullying. Online platforms have tools and guidelines to report and block abusive content and users.

For Those Who Bully Others

If you are bullying others, you are hurting them and yourself. You may think that bullying makes you powerful or popular, but it actually damages your relationships and reputation. You may also face serious consequences such as suspension, expulsion, legal action, or criminal charges. Here are some things you can do:

Stop it: Think about why you are bullying others and how it affects them and yourself. Recognize that your behavior is wrong and harmful. Apologize to those you have hurt and make amends if possible.
Get help: Talk to a trusted adult who can help you understand and change your behavior. This can be a parent, teacher, counselor, or coach. They can help you deal with any personal issues that may be causing you to bully others, such as anger, frustration, insecurity, or stress. They can also help you develop positive social skills, such as empathy, respect, and communication.
Find alternatives: Instead of bullying others, find healthy and constructive ways to express yourself and interact with others. For example, you can join a club, team, or volunteer group that matches your interests and values. You can also learn new skills, hobbies, or talents that boost your confidence and creativity.

For Those Who Witness Bullying

If you see someone being bullied, you have the power to make a difference. You can help stop the bullying and support the person who is being bullied. Here are some things you can do:

Intervene: If you feel safe and confident, you can intervene in the bullying situation by telling the person who is bullying to stop, distracting them, or helping the person who is being bullied get away. You can also report the incident to an adult who can help.
Support: You can support the person who is being bullied by checking on them, listening to them, comforting them, or inviting them to join your group or activity. You can also stand up for them if someone says something mean or untrue about them.
Be an ally: You can be an ally against bullying by creating a positive and inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. You can also join or start an anti-bullying initiative in your school or community that raises awareness and promotes action.

You Can Be an Anti-Bullying Advocate

Teenage bullying is a serious problem that affects many young people’s lives. However, it can be prevented and stopped by taking action from different perspectives. Whether you are being bullied, bullying others, or witnessing bullying, you have a role to play in creating a safer and kinder world for yourself and others.