Bullying is very common in the 21^st century.

According to the website stopbullying.gov, twenty percent of high school students have been victims of bullying and about twenty-eight percent of teens, grades sixth through tenth have also been victims of bullying.

The most common ways of bullying now a days are social, verbal, indirect and cyber bullying.

Social bullying consists of being purposefully left out of group things or activities.

Verbal bullying can be confused with name calling, although there is a big difference. Name calling can be used when you’re in a group of friends jokingly. Verbal bullying consists of name calling, but the names they use are offensive.

Indirect bullying is not as obvious as another type of bullying. An example would be rumors being spread about you.

Cyber bullying consists of being picked on by people online. Usually this is done through text messages or social media.

Statistics also state, the most common targets would include kids who are well-known or kids who have few to no friends. Physical features, sexual orientation, being more creative or intelligent than others are also causes of bullying.

“Bullying is pointless. I thought this when I was younger, and I still think that now.” Confesses Youtuber Punk Chyaz (24) talking about her bullying experience from when she was younger.

The most common effects of bullying are depression, self-harm, and if the situation is so severe even suicide. Suicide is never the answer. You can always go to an adult or someone you trust about your situation and they will try their hardest to help.

Cyber bullying has increased as technology gets more advanced. It’s easier now to send a message through a virtual screen.

About nine percent of kids grade sixth through tenth have been victims of cyber bullying, along with eighty percent of high school students and fifty percent of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) students.

From personal experience, I have witnessed kids calling other kids names and when the person being name called becomes offended, the name caller apologizes right away.

Even though you’re “just kidding”, people may take the things you say to heart. Think about what you say before you actually say it.

Some ways to prevent bullying on your own would be to look the person in the face and ask them to stop more than once. If it comes to the point where you cannot handle the bullying, tell an adult or someone you trust the most.

Be yourself, no matter what anyone else thinks.