What is bullying?
Bullying is an ongoing misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behavior the causes physical and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing power over one or more persons. Bullying can happen in person or online, and it can be obvious or hidden. Single incidents and conflict or fights between equals, whether in person or online, are not defined as bullying.
What bullying is NOT..
- mutual arguments and disagreements (where there is no power imbalance)
- Not liking someone or a single act of social rejection
- One-off acts of meanness
- Isolated incidents of aggression, intimidation or violence
January 1, 2011 lawmakers unanimously passed a bullying prevention law. All Massachusetts public school systems are required by law to adopt an anti-bullying plan. Due to suicides of Phoebe Prince, 15, from South Hadley and Carl Joseph Walker-Hoover, 11 from Springfield the state of Massachusetts has created one of the most comprehensive in the country. Massachusetts will become a test case for the rest of the nation.
Related Organizations
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The Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center (MARCC) MARC offers parent presentations on several topics, usually requested by schools, PTO’s and PTA’s, public libraries, and community groups. |
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PACER’s Center’s Kids Against Bullying Website for kids that talks about bullying and what it means to be a bully and to be bullied. |
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stopbullying.gov Prevention: Teach kids how to identify bullying and how to stand up to it safely. What is Bullying, Warning Signs, How to Prevent and Respond to Bullying and more. |
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Cyber-bullying Research Center Many resources, research, statistics and books on what bullying is and how to help your children. |
Online Education
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Common sense media: Cyberbullying, Haters, and Trolls, Video of 5 Ways to Stop Cyberbullies |
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The Bully Project, Tools and Tips for Parents |
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HuffPo Rude vs. Mean vs. Bullying: Defining the Differences |
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How the Internet Changed Bullying |
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Teens Against Bullying |
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Netsmartz Cyberbullying |
Books for Parents
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Queen Bee & Wannabees by Rosalind Wiseman |
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Little Girls Can Be Mean: Four Steps to Bully-proof Girls in the Early Grades by Michelle Anthony M.A. Ph.D. And Reyna Lindert Ph.D. |
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The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School-How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle by Barbara Colors |
Books for Children
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Blubber by Judy Blume |
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Wonder by R.J. Palicio |
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Chrysanthemum by Kevin Hanks |
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The Recess Queen by Alexis O’Neill |
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Common sense media, Books about Bullying
Kids grappling with bullying can check out the list of relatable books for various ages, from picture books to tween and teen novels to memoirs. |