Bullying is a big deal. It is not a way of developing the character or getting to know each other. It is a serious issue that can leave a permanent scar on a child or even an adult for the rest of his or her life. It affects the confidence of the victim and more often than not they grow up to be a timid adult who does not speak their mind and are in general terrified of people.

If we look at bullying from the point of view of a bully, we might find that they do not even realize what damage they are doing. They see it as part of having fun and leg-pulling.

Sometimes they do it for the laughs and attention they get. It gives them a sense of control and power that they crave due to their own issues.

But even if the bullies are unaware, the fact of the matter remains that they are doing a lot of damage and the victims’ might have to carry around for as long as they live. So how does one deal with the bullies? Through numerous surveys and case studies, some pointers have come forward that one can keep the mind in their approach towards dealing with bullies: –

• Tell an Adult – This is a basic and most important step. Tell an adult. There is no telling what a teenage pressured mind might do. Before things spiral out of control tell an adult you feel comfortable with and keep them in the loop so they might decide when they need to step in.
• Prevent running into a bully – Although this advice sounds less than ideal it is the most realistic one. By avoiding such people you are denying them the opportunity to prey on you.
• Be brave and keep your chin up – Bullies function on the basic setting that the victim is scared of them and would do anything any simply take the beating. You should deny them the very thing they monger upon. Deny them fear. If you challenge every time they try to pull one over they will eventually realize that the outcome is not worth the trouble.
• Try to hide your feeling – Seeing their victim crying gives the bullies a sense of accomplishment. By acting unfazed you are denying them the outcome they crave so much. Try distracting yourself and turning a deaf ear towards all the insults.

This is an issue that is eating up a lot of students inside but is not talked about as it is seen as something of a weakness. If we take this issue seriously, we might be able to stop this menace that is scarring the psyche of our future. Leapwaters conducts motivational sessions for the kids for taking the brave out of them and face such situations in a smart way.