Hello,
Bullying is never ok and it shouldn't be happening, so thanks for sharing your letter with me. Its really good that you've asked for some support.
You've told me that someone who is bullying you at school has just started sending you texts. Bullying someone by text message is a type of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying is when someone bullies you through the internet or over your phone and it's just as wrong as bullying someone is person. Being cyberbullied can be really frightening and it might feel like you can't escape. However, it also means that you have evidence of what the bullies are doing and you can use this to your advantage. For example, if you keep any messages that the bully sends to you, you can then show an adult you trust what is happening. This might be a parent or family member, or someone like a teacher or learning mentor, or school nurse. If the bullying continues, you can also think about going to the police, because it can be a criminal offense to send someone messages that are abusive. If you do decide to keep messages, I would suggest that you try not to keep looking at them, as it can be upsetting to keep reading through messages that a bully sends.
From what you've said, this bullying started at school and has been going on for a really long time. This is really unfair, and it shouldn't have happened. Your school has a responsibility to deal with any bullying and take it seriously. No one deserves to feel unsafe or sad at school, its a place where you should be able to learn and feel comfortable. School need to know what is happening, so that they can help you with it. You said that this bullying has been happening for several years, and it might be that you have already talked to school about this. I want you to know that it's important to keep talking to people at school, as many times as you need to, until you get the support you need.
If you would like further information about how to deal with bullying, there are several good websites where you can get more support and advice, like kidscape and Bullying.co.uk. You might also find it useful to visit the ChildLine message boards and see what other young people are saying about bullying.
If you would like to talk further about this or anything else please feel free to contact one of the counsellors at ChildLine. You can do this in several ways, including by logging in for a 1-2-1 chat (which works likes instant messenger), sending an email, or by calling for free on 0800 1111.
Take care,
Sam
You can talk privately to a counsellor online or call 0800 1111 for free.
You can ask me about anything you want, there's nothing too big or small. I read every single letter but I can only answer a few each week. My replies are published here on my page.
