Education.com

School Bullying

What is bullying?

Bullying is an intentional act. The child who bullies wants to harm the victim; it is no accident.
Bullying involves repeated occurrences. Bullying is not generally considered a random act nor a single incident. Rather, a child is repeatedly picked on by another child or is the target of harassment from a whole group of children. It is the repeated nature of bullying that causes anxiety and apprehension in victims, such that the anticipation of bullying becomes as problematic as the bullying itself.
Bullying is characterized by a power difference; an unfair fight where the child who bullies has some advantage or power over the child who is victimized. Bullying is not the same as “playing around,” it is about the abuse of power.

Source: An Age-old Problem that Needs New Solutions, Shelly Hymel and Sue Swearer

Practical Expert Advice

My Child is a Bully

I Think My Child is a Bully — What Should I Do? by One Tough Job
Not My Kid: What to Do if Your Child is a Bully by Jill Pertler
When Girls Bully by Johanna Sorrentino
What To Do About the Mean Girls by Shannon Hutton

My Child is Being Bullied

I think My Child is Being Bullied — What Should I Do? by One Tough Job
Bully — Proofing Your Child by Julie Williams
Supporting Young People who are Targets of Bullying and Other Negative Peer Behavior by Stop Bullying Now!
Sticks and Stones by St. Louis Children's Hospital

How to Make a Difference at School

Positive Adult-Student Relationships, Trust and Fairness Keys to Reducing Bullying by The Colorado Trust
From the Principal’s Office: Hugh McDermott and Cindi Seddon Speak Out About Bullying by Dewi L. Faulkner
Do Better Playgrounds Stop Bullies? by Hannah Boyd
Playground Heroes by Greater Good
How Can I Prevent Bullying in My Child’s School and Neighborhood? by One Tough Job

Bullying: How to Talk to Educators at Your Child’s School by Stop Bullying Now!
How Should School Staff Respond to Bullying Behavior? by Stop Bullying Now!
Effective Discipline Interventions for Unacceptable Peer to Peer Behavior by Stop Bullying Now!
Social Life in Middle and High School: Dealing With Cliques and Bullies by NYU Child Study Center
An Introduction to Welcoming Schools by Lawrence J. Finnerty, Ed.D.

Myths & Facts about Bullies & Victims

Bullies are rejected by their peers and have no friends.	Many bullies have high status in the classroom and lots of friends.
Bullies have low self-esteem.	High self-esteem can sometimes encourage bullies.
Being a victim builds character.	Bullying experiences increase children’s vulnerabilities.
Many childhood victims of harassment become violent as teens.	Victims of bullying are more likely to suffer in silence than to retaliate.
There is a victim personality.	There are usually a combination of situational and social risk factors apart from certain personality traits that make children vulnerable.
Bullying involves only perpetrators and victims.	Bullying incidents are typically public events that have witnesses.

Source: Some Myths and Facts about Bullies and Victims, Sandra Graham

Additional Content

showing 1 - 5 of 84

1.
What to Do About the Mean Girls

If you have a daughter, take the time to read this. It could save her a lot of heartache. Not to mention stomach aches,...

Source: Education.com
2.
Bullying in Preschool: What Parents Need to Know

Believe it or not, bullying in preschool is more common than you think. Here's how concerned parents should handle...

Source: Education.com
3.
Effects of Bullying On Your Child's Mental Health: Advice For Parents And Caregivers

Ask any child what a bully looks like, and he or she is likely to describe someone who is bigger and stronger. Yet,...

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
4.
A New Intervention to Prevent School Bullying: I AM JACK Story Journey

Bullying is an issue of social injustice and imbalance of power. School is a microcosm of our democratic system where...

Source: Education.com Member Contribution
5.
What Happens Over Time To Those Who Bully And Those Who Are Victimized?

There can be little question that the phenomenon of bullying has become a worldwide concern, drawing the attention of...

Source: Bullying Special Edition Contributor

« prev page
1
2
3
4
...

Go Jump to page #
17
next page »

Is my child bullied?

Possible warning signs:

Numerous lost belongings
Frequent injuries or damage to clothes or property
Spends time primarily with younger students (may indicate a problem with peers)
Avoids recess (i.e., playground) before, during and/or after school
Arrives to school late or just at the starting bell
Appears to be alone most of the time at school
Obtains an excessive or insufficient amount of sleep

Source: How do you Know When Your Student or Child is Being Victimized? Linda A. Cedeno & Maurice J. Elias

Discussions

Questions and Answers on Bullying

See recent questions and answers on dealing with bullying.