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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

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

7. 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

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

9. 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 s
Rumors sent by or posted on social networking sites
Embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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.

13. References