FACTS ABOUT BULLYING
In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal
uniform definition of bullying for research and surveillance.1 The core elements of the definition
include: unwanted aggressive behavior; observed or perceived power imbalance; and repetition of
behaviors or high likelihood of repetition. There are many different modes and types of bullying.
The current definition acknowledges two modes and four types by which youth can be bullied or
can bully others. The two modes of bullying include direct (e.g., bullying that occurs in the
presence of a targeted youth) and indirect (e.g., bullying not directly communicated to a targeted
youth such as spreading rumors). In addition to these two modes, the four types of bullying include
broad categories of physical, verbal, relational (e.g., efforts to harm the reputation or
relationships of the targeted youth), and damage to property.
Bullying can happen in any number of places, contexts, or locations. Sometimes that place is online
or through a cellphone. Bullying that occurs using technology (including but not limited to phones,
email, chat rooms, instant messaging, and online posts) is considered electronic bullying and is
viewed as a context or location.
Electronic bullying or cyberbullying involves primarily verbal aggression (e.g., threatening or
harassing electronic communications) and relational aggression (e.g., spreading rumors
electronically). Electronic bullying or cyberbullying can also involve property damage resulting
from electronic attacks that lead to the modification, dissemination, damage, or destruction of a
youth’s privately stored electronic information.
Some bullying actions can fall into criminal categories, such as harassment, hazing, or assault.
Journalists and other content creators can use this definition to determine whether an incident they
are covering is actually bullying. Media pieces often mistakenly use the word “bullying” to
describe events such as one-time physical fights, online arguments, or incidents between adults.
Cyberbullying and Hate Speech
o Gender analysis revealed a higher level of male engagement (64%) for homophobic
insults, while an even split was observed for general discussion. Within
homophobic hate speech, slight differences emerged between male and female
conversation topics, with discrimination and insults tending to be gender equivalent
(topics such as ‘fucking queer’ emerged in male conversation, while female content
contained terminology such as ‘fucking lesbian’).
Prevention on How Not To Be a Victim of Bullying
Parents, school staff, and other caring adults have a role to play in preventing bullying. They can:
Help kids understand bullying. Talk about what bullying is and how to stand up to it safely. Tell
kids bullying is unacceptable. Make sure kids know how to get help.
Keep the lines of communication open. Check in with kids often. Listen to them. Know their
friends, ask about school, and understand their concerns.
Encourage kids to do what they love. Special activities, interests, and hobbies can boost
confidence, help kids make friends, and protect them from bullying behavior.
Model how to treat others with kindness and respect.
Help Kids Understand Bullying
Kids who know what bullying is can better identify it. They can talk about bullying if it happens
to them or others. Kids need to know ways to safely stand up to bullying and how to get help.
Encourage kids to speak to a trusted adult if they are bullied or see others being bullied. The adult
can give comfort, support, and advice, even if they can’t solve the problem directly. Encourage the
child to report bullying if it happens.
Talk about how to stand up to kids who bully. Give tips, like using humor and saying “stop”
directly and confidently. Talk about what to do if those actions don’t work, like walking away
Talk about strategies for staying safe, such as staying near adults or groups of other kids.
Urge them to help kids who are bullied by showing kindness or getting help.
Watch the short episodes and discuss them - PDF with kids.
Keep the Lines of Communication Open
Research tells us that children really do look to parents and caregivers for advice and help on tough
decisions. Sometimes spending 15 minutes a day talking can reassure kids that they can talk to
their parents if they have a problem. Start conversations about daily life and feelings with questions
like these:
What was one good thing that happened today? Any bad things?
What is lunch time like at your school? Who do you sit with? What do you talk about?
What is it like to ride the school bus?
What are you good at? What would do you like best about yourself?
Talking about bullying directly is an important step in understanding how the issue might be
affecting kids. There are no right or wrong answers to these questions, but it is important to
encourage kids to answer them honestly. Assure kids that they are not alone in addressing any
problems that arise. Start conversations about bullying with questions like these:
What does “bullying” mean to you?
Describe what kids who bully are like. Why do you think people bully?
Who are the adults you trust most when it comes to things like bullying?
Have you ever felt scared to go to school because you were afraid of bullying? What ways have
you tried to change it?
What do you think parents can do to help stop bullying?
Have you or your friends left other kids out on purpose? Do you think that was bullying? Why or
why not?
What do you usually do when you see bullying going on?
Do you ever see kids at your school being bullied by other kids? How does it make you feel?
Have you ever tried to help someone who is being bullied? What happened? What would you do
if it happens again?
REFERENCES:
https://www.stopbullying.gov/media/facts/index.html
