Health / Unit 5: Relationships and Communication
5.5 Bullying and Cyberbullying
Notes
Bullying is repeated, unwanted aggressive behavior that involves a power imbalance. It can be physical, verbal, social (spreading rumors, leaving someone out) or online.
- Cyberbullying uses technology, such as texts, social media or games, to harass, threaten or embarrass. It can happen all day and spread fast, and posts can be hard to remove.
- Bullying can lead to anxiety, depression, trouble sleeping and lower grades. It is never the target's fault.
- If you are targeted: do not respond with hostility, save evidence (screenshots), block and report the person, and tell a trusted adult.
- If you see it: be an upstander. Support the target, do not share or like harmful posts, report it and tell an adult.
- Bystanders who do nothing may seem to approve, so even small acts of support matter.
- Being mean once or an equal argument is conflict, not necessarily bullying, but it should still be addressed.
Practice
Which feature distinguishes bullying from a one-time disagreement?
Bullying is repeated, aggressive and has a power imbalance.
A student receives hurtful messages on social media. Which response is best?
Evidence, blocking, reporting and adult support are recommended.
A student sees a classmate being mocked in a group chat. What is the best way to be an upstander?
Upstanders support the target and report.
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