Bullying is the name given to a series of aggressions that occur continuously and involve an imbalance of power. It can take place in different spaces, including work, school and the club. Nowadays, cyberbullying is gaining strength with the popularization of digital information technologies.
verbal bullying
Verbal bullying is the type that happens the most, especially in schools. Examples of verbal bullying are name-calling, insults, teasing, teasing, etc. Repeated verbal aggression against the same target are characterized as verbal bullying.
For a long time, the so-called “zoeira” was tolerated as something natural among children and young people. But in order to face the problem head on, it is necessary, first of all, to recognize that bullying is not a joke.
Unlike physical bullying, whose consequences are visible and immediate, verbal bullying is often more difficult to detect. In schools, it often takes place away from the eyes of adults and its psychological effects may be less obvious.
Cases of verbal bullying that fall on prejudices in relation to skin color (racism) and sexual orientation (homophobia, transphobia, etc.).
physical bullying
Physical bullying consists of repetition of physical attacks against a certain person. It can occur through punching, kicking, pinching, scratching, shoving, spitting, etc. Intentional and continuous aggression against the same target can be characterized as physical bullying.
Unlike verbal bullying, physical bullying produces more visible and immediate effects. If a child returns from school constantly injured, with bruises, cuts, or torn clothing, he or she may be physically bullied by a peer.
In physical bullying, the power imbalance becomes more evident. The aggressor uses his physical strength to impose himself on his victim, in order to manifest his power over her.
sexual bullying
Sexual bullying is characterized by systematic sexual harassment or abuse, whether at school, at home or at work. It can be physical or verbal, as long as the behavior is sexual and results in embarrassment and humiliation for the victim.
Here are some examples of sexual bullying: persistent innuendo, non-consenting touching, unwanted stares, sexual comments, abusive name-calling, homophobic insults, sexism, circulation of intimate photos etc. In more serious cases, rape.
social bullying
It can be said that social bullying is a type of verbal bullying, with the difference that this form of intimidation has the potential to isolate or exclude the victim from the group. Ignoring someone intentionally and constantly can be social bullying.
It is frequent in schools, where the formation of “small groups” is not uncommon. These small groups, while bringing people together, also have their own exclusion mechanisms.
Social bullying can occur through sharing rumors, lies and defamatory accusations. With the reputation affected by these offenses, the person tends to have low social acceptance, isolating themselves. This isolation causes psychological damage to the victim.
material bullying
Material bullying occurs when there is damage, destruction or theft of belongings. It can be accompanied by other types of aggression and is common in the school environment. The "bullies" (bullies, in English) attack their victims through their personal objects, such as cases, pens, notebooks, garments, etc.
As with other forms of bullying, for material bullying to exist, this type of aggression must take place continuously.
cyberbullying
Cyberbullying differs from other types by the way in which it takes place. Here we are not talking about the school or work space, but the virtual space. This is any type of bullying that occurs on the internet, whether via email, websites, social networks or messaging apps.
Virtual violence can take the form of insults, name-calling, spreading rumors and gossip, stalking, intimidation, blackmail, identity theft, sharing personal photos without authorization etc.
Online bullying is increasingly common. According to a survey conducted by UNICEF at the end of 2019, one in three young people said they have been victims of cyberbullying. The researchers listened to young people aged between 13 and 24 from 30 countries, including Brazil. According to the interviewees, the online spaces where cyberbullying occurs the most are social networks.
In Brazil, 37% said they had suffered cyberbullying at some point in their lives, and 36% said they stopped going to school because of virtual aggressions – a world record.
Read more about cyberbullying.
See also these meanings:
meaning of bullying
Definition of School Bullying