Mean, Rude, or Bullying?
Someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway and immediately says, “Sorry!”
Neither. It was an accident, followed by an apology.
What do we call someone who sees bullying happening but does not take action?
Bystander
Which is the safest response if you see someone being bullied?
A. Fight the person
B. Insult them back
C. Get a trusted adult
D. Post about it online
C — Get a trusted adult
Name one trusted adult you could report bullying to.
Teacher, counselor, parent/guardian, coach, administrator, etc.
A student cuts in front of you in line and says, “Move. I'm going first.”
RUDE
It is disrespectful behavior, but one incident by itself does not automatically mean bullying.
What do we call someone who takes a safe action to help?
Upstander
Your friends are laughing at someone who is being teased.
What could you say?
Possible answers
- "I'm not joining in."
- "That's not funny."
- "That's not okay."
- "I'll go check on them."
True or False:
Reporting bullying is the same thing as tattling.
FALSE
Reporting is asking for help when someone may be unsafe, harmed, or unable to solve the problem alone.
A student makes one hurtful joke about your new haircut and then apologizes when they realize it hurt your feelings.
MEAN
It was hurtful, but a single incident does not automatically make it bullying.
True or False:
An upstander has to confront the person who is bullying.
FALSE
Getting an adult is often the safest upstander choice.
Give two ways you can be an upstander without directly confronting the person who is bullying.
Possible answers:
What information should you give an adult when reporting bullying?
Every day for several weeks, a student repeatedly makes fun of another student's appearance. The student has asked them to stop, but it continues.
BULLYING
The behavior is repeated, harmful, and may involve a power imbalance.
A student notices someone being bullied. They don't join in, but they also don't help or tell anyone.
Bystander
You see an angry confrontation in the hallway.
Should you physically step between the students?
No.
Move to safety and get a trusted adult.
A friend says, “Don't tell anyone, but people keep bullying me.”
What should you do?
Listen and support your friend, but involve a trusted adult when there is ongoing harm or a safety concern.
A student repeatedly posts embarrassing comments about another student online. Other students join in, and the targeted student feels afraid to come to school.
BULLYING / CYBERBULLYING
Name four roles that can be involved in a bullying situation.
You see a student being repeatedly bullied at lunch.
Give three safe actions you could take.
Possible answers:
Put these steps in the safest order:
A. Tell a trusted adult
B. Stay safe
C. Give details about what happened
D. Support the person being targeted
Possible answer:
B → A → C → D