By: Olivia Throesch olivia.Throesch@smail.astate.edu School Bullying By: Olivia Throesch olivia.Throesch@smail.astate.edu

What is Bullying? Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior among school aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may have serious, lasting problems.

Facts About Bullying Over 3.2 million students are victims of bullying each year. Approximately 160,000 teens skip school every day because of bullying. 17% of American students report being bullied 2 to 3 times a month or more within a school semester. 1 in 4 teachers see nothing wrong with bullying and will only intervene 4% of the time. By age 14 less than 30% of boys and 40% of girls will talk to their peers about bullying.

Children at Risk of being Bullied Children who are bullied tend to have one or more of the following factors: Are perceived as different from their peers, such as being overweight or underweight, wearing glasses or different clothing, being new to a school, or being unable to afford what kids consider “cool” Are perceived as weak or unable to defend themselves Are depressed, anxious, or have low self esteem Are less popular than others and have few friends Do not get along well with others, seen as annoying or provoking, or antagonize others for attention

Children More Likely to Bully Others Some are well-connected to their peers, have social power, are overly concerned about their popularity, and like to dominate or be in charge of others. Others are more isolated from their peers and may be depressed or anxious, have low self esteem, be less involved in school, be easily pressured by peers, or not identify with the emotions or feelings of others. Some personality factors that children who are bullies may possess: Are aggressive or easily frustrated Have less parental involvement or having issues at home Think badly of others Have difficulty following rules View violence in a positive way Have friends who bully others

Types of Bullying Common in Elementary Schools Physical Bullying Verbal Bullying Cyberbullying Social Bullying

Physical Bullying Physical bullying involves hurting a person’s body or possessions. Physical bullying includes: Hitting/kicking/pinching Spitting Tripping/pushing Taking or breaking someone’s things Making mean or rude hand gestures

Verbal Bullying Verbal bullying is saying or writing mean things. Verbal bullying includes: Teasing Name-calling Inappropriate sexual comments Taunting Threatening to cause harm

Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is the use of electronic technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Electronic technology includes devices such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites. Cyber bullying includes: Mean text messages or emails Rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites Embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles

Social Bullying Social bullying, sometimes referred to as relational bullying, involves hurting someone’s reputation or relationships. Social bullying includes: Leaving someone out on purpose Telling other children not to be friends with someone Spreading rumors about someone Embarrassing someone in public

Ways that Teachers can stop Bullying Create a Safe and Supportive Environment Establish a culture of inclusion and respect that welcomes all students Monitor bullying “hot spots” in and around the building. Set a tone of respect in the classroom. Manage Classrooms to Prevent Bullying Develop rules with students so they set their own climate of respect and responsibility, and reinforce the rules by making expectations clear and keeping requests simple, direct and specific. Stop Bullying on the Spot Intervene immediately. It’s OK to get another adult to help. Don’t talk to the kids involved together, only separately, and don’t make the kids involved apologize or patch up relations on the spot. Support the Kids Involved All kids involved in bullying— whether they are bullied, bully others, or see bullying—can be affected. It is important to support all kids involved to make sure the bullying doesn’t continue and effects can be minimized.

Teaching Students how to prevent Bullying Walk away. This shows bullies that their behavior is not funny or okay. Speak up. Tell bullies that what they are doing is wrong. By saying, “that’s not funny, let’s get out of here” or something similar, kids can stand up for each other. Be a friend. Sometimes kids get picked on because they don’t have any friends or anyone to stand up for them. When kids befriend someone being bullied, bullies are less likely to pick on them. Friendship can also give children the support and the confidence to stand up for themselves. Ask others to help. When more kids stand up to bullies, the bullies will be more likely to realize their actions are not okay. Get an adult. Sometime kids who are bullied are scared to ask an adult for help because they think it will make the bullying worse. Kids can help by telling an adult what is happening, or going to speak to an adult with kids being bullied.

References https://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/definition/index.html https://www.dosomething.org/us/facts/11-facts-about-bullying http://kidshealth.org/en/parents/cyberbullying.html http://blog.ed.gov/2012/04/top-5-ways-educators-can-stop-bullies/ https://www.stopbullying.gov/at-risk/factors/index.html