Bullying Basics
This term describes harmful behavior that may involve repetition and/or an imbalance of power.
What is bullying?
Two students disagree about which game to play during gym. This is most likely an example of this.
What is conflict?
This is the influence people your age can have on your choices and behavior.
What is peer pressure?
This communication style means expressing your feelings or decision clearly and respectfully.
What is assertive communication?
You see a student being repeatedly teased. Name one safe action you can take.
Accept: Tell a trusted adult, support the student, or safely avoid encouraging the behavior.
Calling someone hurtful names or repeatedly threatening them is this type of bullying.
What is verbal bullying?
Two classmates argue once about whose turn it is. Does this automatically mean bullying?
What is no? It is more likely a conflict.
Your friends encourage you to join a study group before a big test. Is this positive or negative peer pressure?
What is positive peer pressure?
Complete this response: 'No, I'm not comfortable with that, so I'm going to ____.'
What is 'pass,' 'say no,' or another clear, respectful refusal?
A friend encourages you to practice for an upcoming team tryout. What type of peer pressure is this?
What is positive peer pressure?
Posting hurtful comments or spreading rumors about someone through social media can be an example of this.
What is cyberbullying?
A group repeatedly targets the same student with insults because they know the student has difficulty standing up for themselves. What does this most likely describe?
What is bullying?
Your teammates tell you to make fun of a new player so you can fit in. Is this positive or negative peer pressure?
What is negative peer pressure?
Before making a pressured decision, you should think about these possible results of your actions.
What are the consequences?
A group pressures you to leave school grounds without permission. What is the safest choice?
Say no, stay where you are supposed to be, and get help from a trusted adult if needed.
True or False: Bullying can happen online, outside of school, and in ways that do not involve physical contact.
What is True?
True or False: Every disagreement between friends should be considered bullying.
What is False?
True or False: Peer pressure can happen even when nobody directly tells you to do something.
What is True? You may feel pressure to fit in or act like the group.
Your friends want you to break a school rule. Give one assertive response that lets them know you will not participate.
Example: 'No, I'm not doing that. I'm staying here.' Accept any clear, respectful refusal.
A classmate tells you they are repeatedly being targeted by other students. Name the best way to support them.
Listen, take them seriously, encourage them to tell a trusted adult, and offer support.
Repeatedly excluding someone from a group or spreading rumors to harm their reputation is this type of bullying.
What is social/relational bullying?
Name one important difference between bullying and conflict.
Bullying may involve repeated harmful behavior and/or a power imbalance; conflict is a disagreement between people.
Your friends say, 'Nobody will like you if you don't go along with us.' What kind of influence are they using?
What is negative peer pressure? They are pressuring someone through fear of rejection.
Name one strategy you can use if a group keeps pressuring you after you have said no.
Accept: Repeat your boundary, walk away, suggest another activity, contact a trusted adult, or seek support.
You witness bullying, but you worry that speaking up could make you a target. Name two ways to help without putting yourself in danger.
Report it privately to a trusted adult, check in with the targeted student when safe, avoid joining in, save/report online evidence appropriately, or get help from a teacher or counselor.