Bullying In School...What You Need To Know

There are many ways to hurt another human being. And there are some

people-students you may know-who try their best to do just that. These kids are bullies, and each day they cause deep

and lasting pain to others.

What Is Bullying?

Verbal taunts, name calling and put-downs Stealing of money or possessions Exclusion from peer groups Intentional and unprovoked efforts to harm

another. Can be physical, verbal, direct or indirect in

nature. Involves repeated & negative actions by one or

more. Involves the imbalance of physical or

psychological power.

Kinds Of Bullying

Physical Bullying-includes punching, kicking poking, hair-pulling, and more.

Emotional Bulling-includes rejecting, defaming, humiliating, blackmailing, manipulating friends, isolating, or peer pressure.

Sexual Bullying-includes sexual harassment, abuse involving physical contact and assault.

Verbal Bullying-includes hurtful name calling, teasing, gossip, and spreading rumors.

How Prevalent Is Bullying?

In a survey conducted by The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) it was found that:

3.2 million students reported being victims3.7 million students that they bullied others1.2 million students reported being both a victim and bully

These were all reported as “several times a week.

How Prevalent is Bullying? Part 2

So at the time of this survey it was found that nearly 30% of all school aged students were involved in moderate to frequent bullying, either as a perpetrators, victims, or both.

More students in younger grades are victimized.Boys are more likely to be bullies than girls.

Research On Bullying

A student is being bullied or victimized when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more other students.

Research Continued-

A student who is stronger, more aggressive, bolder, and more confident typically bullies.It is a myth that bullies are insecure, actually they have average or above average self esteem.Bullies tend to come from homes where aggressive strategies to conflict resolution is modeled.

Dynamics Of A Bully

Bullies tend to be confident, aggressive, and lack empathy for the victim.Bullies come from homes with little supervision, poor modeling of aggressive behavior.Bullying is often done so that adults are not aware of it.

Dynamics Of A Bully…part 2

They like to control others though verbal and physical actions.Quicker to anger and sooner to use force than others.Repeats aggressive behaviorsAre angry and revengefulPhysical image is important to maintaining power

Dynamics Of A Victim

Victims tend to be quiet, passive children with few friends.Victims do not respond effectively to aggressive actions.Victims are ashamed, and often don’t tell adults.

Where Does Bullying Occur?

In and around schools – specifically in those areas with little supervision.

Areas like:PlaygroundsHallwaysCafeteriaClassrooms before the lesson beginsLocker rooms

When Does Bullying Occur?

In many studies the percentage of students bullied is more prevalent at the elementary level.But that’s not to say that it doesn’t happen an middle or high school.It is typical to peak at upper elementary or early middle school years and then decrease

What Causes Bullying?

Family Factors: A lack of warmth toward the child.Poor supervision.Aggressive behavior.Physical and verbal abuse.Family violence.

Individual Factors:Child temperament ( active or impulsive).Physical strength and size as related to their peers.

What Causes Bullying?

School Factors:The social climate and supervision.

Lack of warmth and acceptance of all students, and high standards for teachers and students respecting one another.Low levels of supervision during free time, lunch, class changes etc…

Why Does Bullying Occur?

It occurs because of many factors such as:

Race/EthnicityGender/Sexual identityBeing new at something i.e. school, job, or a teamSomeone that stands outYour styleGradesHair styleYour body And many other factors

What Are The Long Term Consequences For Victims?

Typically unhappy.Suffer from fear, anxiety, and low self esteem.Try to avoid school and social interactions.Possible depression and withdrawal from society.

What Are The Long Term Consequences For Bullies?

Tend to become aggressive adults.Higher chance of breaking the law.More legal problems.

What You Can Do When You Are Being Bullied…

If at all possible leave the situationTell an adult or trusted friendUnderstand the facts about bullyingGet active and involved at schoolShare with a school official

What You Can Do If You Witness Bullying

Work with others to reduce bullyingReport any bullying you seeSpeak outRefuse to join inHelp the victim by inviting them to go with you

Cyber Bullying

What is Cyberbullying?Sending mean, vulgar, or threatening messages or images Posting sensitive, private information about another person Pretending to be someone else in order to make that person look bad Intentionally excluding someone from an online group

How is Cyberbullying Different From Face-to Face Bullying?

The victim has no place to hide The bully can target them anytime and anyplace The bully is relatively protected by the anonymity The cyberbully does not usually see the response of the victim Adolescents who tended to spend more time online tended also to report that they cyberbullied or were themselves cyberbullied more frequently

What Can I Do If I am Cyberbullied

Don't respond to the messageSave the evidenceTell a trusted adultDon't forward it Block cyberbullies and delete the message without reading it Do not seek revenge Keep passwords secret

What Schools Can Do About Bullying?

Awareness and involvement on the part of all staff.Leadership training for all students.Increase hallway supervision.Consistent and immediate consequences for inappropriate behavior.Generous praise for pro-social behavior.Set specific class rules.Serious individual talks with bullies and their parents.Increase home and school communication.

A Final Thought:

Be kind!Each day is your chance to put this rule into practice. Anyone can do it, but not everyone does. What about you? By being friendly to another person, by sitting next to someone who is alone, by refusing to laugh at another person when others do, by choosing not to go along with the behavior of a hurtful crowd, you are practicing kindness!