Expert: Bullies can be deterred

WASHINGTON POST
Most of the kids we talked to just tried to ignore it. Some told their teasers to stop, while others just kept their feelings inside and laughed along with their tormentors.
Several said it helped to figure out why the teaser was acting that way -- that they were basically jealous or unhappy.
"Teasing makes them feel good about themselves for five minutes. Then that runs out, and they have to say something else mean," said Meg Kelly, 11. "In the long run it just makes them feel worse."
Kids should decide what works best for them, says Susan Swearer, co-editor of "Bullying in American Schools."
UTry humor. If somebody teases you for wearing uncool clothes, Swearer said, "you could just laugh along and say, 'Yeah, I'm a real trendsetter!'"
UWhatever you do, try not to show that you are upset. "The bully gets a feeling of power when you get angry," Swearer said. "Deprive them of that. Disarm the teaser."
UOther kids should step up and stop the teasing. That will make clear that the group thinks teasing is not cool.
UIf you're being teased a lot or threatened, don't go it alone. Tell a parent, teacher or other trusted adult.