Forms of Bullying
Every time Sally sees Barb in the hallway, Sally pushes and spits on Barb. What form of bullying is this?
Physical
T or F: Bullying is just teasing.
FALSE
While some bullies tease, others use violence, intimidation, and other hostile tactics. Sometimes teasing can be fun. Bullying always hurts.
Someone who uses physical strength, popularity or some other power to control or harm another person.
Bully
Joanne got in a fight with one of her friends at a sleepover. After that, she started receiving mean messages on social media full of lies and nasty comments. Joanne mentions to you that she is nervous to check her phone because she has been getting mean messages. What can you do?
Ideas: Ask Joanne if she wants to talk about what happened. Let Joanne know you are there for her and support her. Ask Joanne if you can help her figure out a trusted adult to tell the situation to.
Most students that experience bullying don't tell ____.
Anyone.
As Sam walks into the classroom he says to Bob, "Wow you're wearing that shirt again? No wonder you stink." What form of bullying is this?
Verbal
T or F: Some people deserve to be bullied.
FALSE
No one ever deserves to be bullied.
Someone who is present when bullying takes place but does not take part in it
Bystander
You overhear two kids on the basketball team talking about how they started rumors about Emily cheating on a test. You know these two kids are also jealous of how well Emily is doing at basketball. What can you do?
Ideas: Talk to Emily, offer support and tell her you know she didn't cheat. Ask Emily what adult she would feel comfortable telling the situation to. Talk to the basketball coach and tell the coach what you overheard.
More than half of bullying situations (57%) stop when a ____ intervenes on behalf of the student being bullied.
Peer
During lunch, Sally started talking with everyone at the table about why no one should be friends with or hang out with Barb any longer. What form of bullying is this?
Social
T or F: Nearly ⅓ of American teens are involved in bullying.
TRUE
In a recent survey 13% admit to bullying, 11% admit to being bullied, and 6% have been bullied and also bully others (teachingtolerance.org)
Sean overhears Bob telling Greg that Greg should just quit the basketball team because no one can stand being around him. Sean tells Bob to stop the rude comments and tells Greg that what Bob said isn't true.
What is Sean?
Ally
You sent a mean text about a kid who bullies to a friend, and your friend forwarded it to others. It eventually got back to the kid. What could you do?
Ideas: Apologize to the student that the text was about. Explain you won't engage in this any further, and next time will talk to an adult instead of sending a text.
When someone is experiencing bullying, we can support them by being an ____.
Ally
David created a social media profile that posted personal information and pictures of Bill. The profile actively encouraged others to engage in bashing Bill. What form of bullying is this?
Cyberbullying
T or F: If you are being bullied, it is best to handle it alone.
FALSE
Confide in a trusted friend or adult. Putting an end to bullying requires a commitment from everyone. Talk to your parents and teachers.
Sally overhears a group of girls telling Emily that she is too dumb to pass her classes so she should just drop out of school, no one likes her anyway. Sally feels bad but pretends she doesn't hear anything and keeps walking, because she doesn't want the group of girls to think she herself is dumb. What is Sally?
Bystander
You receive an email telling an embarrassing story about another student who has often been mean to you. You know your friends would think it’s funny. What could you do?
Ideas: Not respond or engage. Ask the students who sent the email to stop sharing the embarrassing story. Encourage the students not to join in with mean behavior just because this other student has been mean in the past.
______ of bullying tend to succumb to what they believe is peer pressure to support bullying behavior and fear of becoming the victim.
Bystanders
What is the most common form of bullying?
Social - being the subject of rumors and lies
T or F: Bullies are insecure and have low self-esteem.
FALSE
Often, bullies have high self-esteem. Many bullies are popular and think highly of themselves.
If you know someone is being bullied, but you are afraid of the bully or are nervous to get involved, what could you do instead?
Tell a trusted adult at school. The bullying still needs to be reported. Think of an adult at school that you feel comfortable speaking to. If you are still nervous, bring a friend with.
Someone shoves you and wants to fight you. You want to stick up for yourself, but you don’t want to get into a fight. What could you do?
Ideas: Walk away and not react or engage in the behavior. Tell an adult about the situation.
Unfortunately, peer bystanders intervene in bullying less than ___% of the time.
20