Bullying can be considered as intentional, repeated hurtful acts, words, or other behaviors such as name-calling, threatening, and even shunning or demeaning that is committed by one or more children or persons against another. It is important to note that bullying is not provoked by the behavior of the victim, as bullying connotes an imbalance or perceived imbalance of power between the bully and the victim. Provoked by the victim’s behavior as bullying connotes a perceived imbalance of power between the bully and the victim. Bullying may take many forms including physical, verbal, emotional or sexual behaviors.

Forms of Bullying

Physical Bullying: punching, hitting, poking, beating, kicking, pinching, shoving, choking, strangling, pulling or mangling of the hair, biting, tying up, and excessive tickling. Physical bullying also includes making someone swallow, inhale or otherwise ingest a substance, item, or food; taking money, clothing, or other personal items; being made to carry heavy loads or standing in awkward positions for long periods of time upon threat of beating or some other form of humiliation.

Verbal Bullying: name calling, teasing, gossiping, taunting, verbal threats, public chastising, and cajoling; spreading rumors and sending threatening and intimidating messages via email or text messaging.

Emotional Bullying: extortion/blackmailing, defaming, manipulation, isolation, and rejection; hazing; terrorizing with threats or the threat of terrorizing; and rating or ranking of personal characteristics such as race, ethnicity, religion, disability, perceived or actual sexual orientation, and overall peer pressure to engage in activities with which the victim is unknowledgeable or uncomfortable.

Sexual Bullying: sexual positioning and harassment and abuse that include actual physical contact and sexual assault; voyeurism; and exhibitionism in combination with many of the emotional, verbal, and physical behaviors listed above.

Cyber Bullying: kids are using the Internet and mobile phones to extend the reach of bullying behavior. According to a recent study, one in ten kids is affected by cyber bullying. Girls are more likely to be victims of cyber bullies and boys are more likely to be cyber bullies. Parents should be aware of what their children are doing when they are online and using their mobile phones.

It is essential to note that bullying also occurs under the guise of other terms and behaviors accompanying some social activities such as sports and recreation. These are more subtle and characterized as team building and “toughening up.” Included here are initiation rites, hazing, and some rites of gang passage.

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Bullying Prevention Resources

• Bullying and School Climate
• PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
• Evidence-Based Practices Resource Center
• GaDOE Policy for Prohibiting Bullying, Cyberbullying, Harassment and Intimidation
• Stopbullying.gov
• National Association of School Psychologists (Bullying Prevention Resources) 
• School Safety Hotline
• Cyberbullying Resources (National Crime Prevention Council)
• International Bullying Prevention Association

Cyber Safety

From cyberbullying to social networking, Cyber Safety aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and to encourage students and staff to use the internet and social media more responsibly. Join us in promoting cyber safety by having online discussions using the hashtag #CyberSafeDeKalb.

Social websites and smartphone apps can be a fun, exciting and convenient way to connect with our family members, friends, and new people across the world. But if not used properly, they can also expose unsuspecting users to risks such as child predators, human traffickers, cyberbullies, identity thieves and other criminals.

DeKalb County School District is committed to helping both students and families understand these risks and why they should be taken seriously. Beginning on Safer Internet Day in February and continuing through the year, the District urges you to stay safe online by joining our #CyberSafeDeKalb. This page contains a wealth of resources from experts on how students and parents are well informed on how to avoid the pitfalls of failing to be safe online.

According to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, being Cyber Aware means pledging:

1. I Will Think Before I Post.
   • I agree not to post information and images that could put me at risk, embarrass me, or damage my future, such as:
     • cell & home phone numbers
     • home address
     • sexual messages
     • inappropriate pictures and videos

2. I Will Respect Other People Online.
   • I will not:
     • post anything rude, offensive, or threatening
     • send or forward images and information that might embarrass, hurt, or harass someone
     • take anyone’s personal information and use it to damage his or her reputation

3. I Will Be Careful When Meeting Online Friends In Person.
   • I agree to:
     • ask my parent or guardian’s permission before going
     • have a parent or guardian accompany me
     • meet in a public place

4. I Will Protect Myself Online.
   • If someone makes me feel uncomfortable or if someone is rude or offensive, I will:
     • not respond
     • save the evidence
     • tell my parent, guardian, or another trusted adult
     • report to the website, cell phone company, CyberTipline.com, or the police

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