HANDLING GOSSIP AND RUMORS Social Harassment Day 5

OBJECTIVES  Offer healthy skepticism as a response to rumors:  Ask yourself is this a fact?  Ask yourself what is the person’s purpose for saying these things?  Ask yourself is this harassment, social bullying or neither.

OBJECTIVES  Allow them to challenge unverifiable information.  Ask for the facts  Ask who, what, when, where, and why questions.

OBJECTIVES  Understand the consequences that spreading rumors can have for others and themselves.  Isolation of victim  Emotional turmoil  Lost friendship  Confrontation

OBJECTIVES  Begin to comprehend the complex human motives behind spreading rumors.  To gain popularity.  To embarrass others.  To cause drama, turmoil, or confrontation.  To seek revenge  For entertainment (celebrity gossip)

OBJECTIVES  Recognize that rumors can be started as a means to harass others.  Refuse to take part in bullying/harassment.  Stand up for the victim.  Include victim – don’t isolate  Report harassment to adult.

CYBER BULLYING  Be aware that cyber bullying is harassment.  Don’t reply to abusive messages.  Keep a record and report to parent/adult.  Do not forward harassing s, pictures, or texts.  Think before you send pictures, , and texts because they can go places you didn’t consider.

HANDLING GOSSIP AND RUMORS  Make your class a RUMOR FREE ZONE.  Complete the worksheet.