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|  | | | Just What Is Bullying?
Bullying is more than the kid who threatens and intimidates using physical aggression. Bullying is also:
gossip
spreading rumors
targeting others outside of the child's group of friends
deliberate isolation or shunning of another child
using chat rooms, web sites and text messaging to spread rumors or harass someone
Bullying has three characteristics:
Imbalance of Power - a bully has more power than the other
student. It could be because they are physically bigger or have
more social status. Bullies use this power to hurt or threaten
others.
Intent to Harm - bullies know what they are doing and mean to
cause harm to the other student. They will also deny this is the
case. Pain doesn't have to be physical or a direct insult - it
can also be caused by rumors. "Just joking around" is bullying is
someone is hurt physically or emotionally.
A Pattern of Behavior - a bully is defined by how they act, not
who they are. Popular kids can be bullies. "Nice" kids can
be bullies. Kids may bully to:
to find his or her place on the social ladder
to look cool, tough, or to show off
because of peer pressure
because they get away with it.
Bullies who are popular often do not see their behavior as bullying,
nor may other people who know them. ANYONE can be a bully.
Bullies need to be reported to a teacher or Principal, regardless of
who the bully is.
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