Richard Hogan: Adults bully too, here's how to stop it when it happens

Never play the bullies game. You are in a one-down position when you do that and you need to get into a one-up position

Richard Hogan: See the bully for what they are, insecure, weak with low self-esteem. When you realise this you stop seeing them as powerful. They are not powerful, they are powerless.

Over the last number of weeks, I have written about the experience of bullying. I offered advice for parents of children who are being bullied and what to do if your child is the bully. Working in schools, I see first-hand, the devastating impact bullying has on the mind of a developing child. When a child is targeted by others or subtly excluded it changes that internalised voice. 

It becomes negative as they blame themselves for becoming targeted and their confidence is eroded. When this happens the child who was bullied can start to bully themselves with that negative voice. This, unfortunately, means the experience of bullying can last into adulthood, long after those tormentors have moved on with their lives. I have also met those who bully.