If people are saying or doing horrible things to you, this is bullying. Bullying can take a lot of forms, and it happen at school, at home or online. Bullying someone online is called cyber-bullying. Childline describes bullying as:

• Being called names, teased or humiliated
• People posting, commenting on, or liking nasty photos, videos or posts about you online
• Being pushed, hit, or hurt
• Having money and other stuff stolen
• People spreading rumours or starting group chats about you
• Being ignored, left out or made to feel like you’re not wanted
• Being threatened, intimidated or sent nasty messages
• Being trolled online or people commenting on your posts or pictures by saying nasty things
• Someone revealing personal details about you without your permission
• Being targeted over and over again in an online game.

Bullying can happen to anyone, but some groups of young people are more likely to experience bullying than others. These include:

• Those who are of different races or faiths
• Those with disabilities
• Looked after children and young people
• Young people who have come out as gay / lesbian, non-binary or transgender.
• Young people with special educational needs
• Young people who look ‘different’ – because of their weight, height, their hair, a disfigurement (such as a prominent scar), or any other aspect of their appearance

Lots of research studies (see page 6) have found that young carers are significantly more likely to be bullied than other young people their age. Because of their responsibilities at home, young people who look after a sibling, parent or other family member may miss out on social opportunities – which makes them seem ‘different’ to other young people their age.

Surprisingly, some young carers are bullied because of the condition or illness of the person they care for – and not because of anything about themselves. Others may be bullied because they struggle to connect with other young people their age – or they might seem more mature than other young people their age. In any case, young carers can be more emotionally vulnerable because of ongoing worries and stress due to ill-health or disability in their homes.

If you are being bullied, it’s important to remember that bullying is never your fault.

Being bullied can have a big effect on a person’s mental health, physical health, education, self-esteem and sense of identity. The Anti-Bullying Alliance says that children and young people who are bullied, are more likely to:

• Skip school, be excluded or face other barriers to learning
• Get into fights
• Be anxious or depressed and practise self-harm
• Place extra strain on their families or carers

One research study found that being bullied as a young person can have very long-term impacts – even up to 40 years later. This study found that older adults who were bullied when they were young are more likely than other adults, at age 50, to:

• Be depressed, anxious or have suicidal thoughts
• Have poor physical or mental health
• Have lower levels of education and poorer job prospects

They are also less likely to be in a relationship or have a good social network.