This is true, the bullying just gets more subtle, often from someone with authority over you.
It's a good tactic to throw it back at them - "Are you having a bad day?". That would stop someone in their tracks.
Yes children (and even many adults depends on the individual character) are in particular
quite vulnerable as they (children) generally haven't learned as much as adults - please note this is just generally.
Unfortunately (many
myself included back in the day) children sometimes will believe anything you tell them. And this is where a lo of problems can potentially come in to play.
Parents used to love me because I stopped a lot of "bullets" and more than likely prevented many children from growing up to be failures or what society "sees" or "thinks" is a failure or a "future convict".
I was loved by many parents because I can see so much and was very loving etc and understanding... because I don't like bull **** ... I was also hated by some parents because I wouldn't stand for garbage and rubbish behavior...
"I don't like stinky things" (oh the irony
) could be my motto in a way... and I am not at all talking about the bad odor under some one's arm pits...
I had once when I was looking after some youngsters they sent around a note in the class saying:
"Who do you think is the blackest kid in class?"
I got a hold of this note though and then they weren't laughing any more...
And people had written who they thought was the blackest / darkest kid in class... I told them I don't know if I should laugh at you or be very concerned that you are breathing the same air as me and taking (stealing?) resources from the planet and just another pesticide in society... "just another good for nothing disease" ... I told them all...
I asked them:
"Do YOU even know where writing originated from???"
After I gave them one hell of a rude awakening I made some of them cry after I beat the living day lights out of them (intellectually and spiritually) but they deserved it... they brought it upon themselves...
I am very aware of the ugly realities of bullying that goes on not just in the class room - but everywhere.
It is very sadly everywhere today in life but luckily it is being snuffed out more and more
I always told children... be careful who you pick on... you never know who might OWN you some day....
"Pain is knowledge"
). He's 26 now with a wife and son and is quite the young man. I couldn't be more proud. 
