Bullying is a major problem in the United States, and it can have devastating, long-lasting effects on the victims. Bullying not only affects kids but adults as well. It is important to remember that bullying not only happens in person but on social media as well. It is hard to watch or read the news now and not see a story about bullying. Unfortunately, some people have opted for suicide to free themselves from being tormented by a bully. This has prompted all 50 states and most territories to pass anti-bullying laws to try and combat the problem.

Bullying is a serious problem that affects both males and females. It is a negative behavior that is done on purpose to hurt or humiliate the victim. Bullying can start out verbally and escalate to physical contact such as shoving, kicking, slapping, or fighting. This type of behavior is very common in schools. Fortunately, more and more people are becoming aware of violence in schools. This awareness is beneficial in combating the problem before it escalates. People bully for a variety of reasons, such as jealousy or insecurity. Bullies usually try to do something to the victim that will embarrass or hurt them.

Online bullying, also called cyberbullying, has become a major problem with the popularity of social media. Many people feel that they can bully others online without any consequences. Social media gives bullies a platform with basically no boundaries. Many kids are bullied at school and online when they are at home. Being attacked from all sides makes kids feel like there is simply no escape from their bullies.

The effects of cyberbullying can be just as devastating as traditional bullying. Many states have passed some form of cyberbullying laws in an attempt to combat the problem and charge individuals in extreme cases. Some of these cases can be difficult to prosecute criminally and are often handled in civil courts. In the cases of kids, cyberbullying is sometimes referred to the schools for discipline. Despite the many tools to protect kids online , online bullying is still a major issue.

In most cases, bullying occurs in areas where there are no adult supervision such as hallways, the bus, the playground, or lunchroom. This is why it is very important for bystanders to speak up and report the incident. Unfortunately, many kids keep quiet out of fear or simply because it does not affect them. This type of behavior further isolates the person who is being bullied. Reporting the incident to an adult can help diffuse the situation before it gets out of hand.

In closing, bullying is a major problem in the United States. Bullying is very common in schools, but it can happen anywhere and to anyone. Many bullies have now taken advantage of social media to cyberbully. While there are laws in all states to combat this problem, it is still a major issue that will take the involvement of everyone to solve.