Be An Upstander:

Bullying Prevention
McMath Middle School
Bullying – definition?
Texas Education Code 37.0832:
Bullying:
1. Means a single significant act or a pattern of acts by one or more
students directed at another student that exploits an imbalance
of power and involves engaging in written or verbal expression,
expression through electronic means, or physical conduct; and
that
1. Has the effect or will have the effect of physically harming a
student, damaging a student’s property, or placing a student
in reasonable fear of harm or damage to property;
2. Is sufficiently severe, persistent, or pervasive enough that the
action or threat creates an intimidating, threatening, or
abusive educational environment for a student
3. Materially and substantially disrupts the educational process
or the orderly operation of a classroom or school; or
4. Infringes on the rights of the victim at school
2. Includes cyberbullying
Bullying – what is it?
The definition (from TEC 37.0832)

Applies to:
● bullying that occurs on or is delivered to school property or the
site of a school-sponsored or school-related activity on or off
school property
● Bullying that occurs on a publicly or privately owned school bus or
vehicle being used for transportation of students to or from school
or a school sponsored or school related activity; and
● Cyberbullying that occurs off school property or outside of a
school-sponsored or school-related activity if the cyberbullying:
● Interferes with an student’s educational opportunities; or
● Substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a classroom, school, or
school-sponsored or school-related
 Bullying or Peer Conflict?
Joe & Alex are talking very loud and making weird noises in the lunch room, just like they do every day. Dylan
hates it when people yell and asks them to stop, but they continue and tell him to “get over it”.

Is it bullying or conflict?

The person with the locker above you keeps bumping into you for the past 3 days. You are annoyed and yell at
them because “they must be doing it on purpose.” They get in your face and want to fight but your friends stop
you both and you walk away.

Is it bullying or conflict?

Kelsey tagged Jane in an Instagram post. “Can’t stand that girl #ratchet.” Kelsey has also been spreading rumors
about Jane for the past 2 weeks and tells her friends not to talk to her at lunch.

Is it bullying or conflict?

Josh & Ethan don’t get along and have been making rude comments to each other in class all year. Ethan trips
Josh in the hallway and laughs at him. Josh walks away but is angry and feels bullied.

Is it bullying or conflict?
 Cyber
Bullying
Cyberbullying – what is it?
Cyberbullying (still from Texas Education Code
37.0832) –

Means bullying that is done through the

use of any electronic communication
device, including through the use of a
cellular or other type of telephone, a
computer, a camera, electronic mail,
instant messaging, text messaging, a
social media application, an Internet
website, or any other Internet-based
communication tool
 What’s Different
About Cyberbullying?
o Anonymity – identity of the person who bullies can be kept
secret. The target of the behavior experiences increased
stress and anxiety due to the “unknown”.

o Accessibility – the technology used to cyber bully can be

accessed any time, day or night.

o Number of “bystanders” – can quickly reach into the

thousands depending on the forum (ex. Youtube,
Instagram, Snapchat)

o Disinhibition –secrecy of internet encourages those who

might not otherwise bully.

o No observable response – the person who bullies is not

usually present to observe the impact their words or
actions have on others.
Why do kids
Cyberbully one
another?
The person who participates in
bullying behaviors online
usually do it because:
• It’s entertaining.
• They want to get a laugh or
reaction from the victim or
bystanders.
• Enjoy trolling (tormenting,
teasing) others.
• To help bolster likes, followers
or social standing.
• Some think they are standing
up for others.
Have you experienced or participated
cyberbullying in some way?
• Instant Messaging/Texting (including group
chats)
• Websites or pages designed to insult
• Sending threatening messages or pictures
• Stealing passwords/hacking
• Impersonation
• Blogs
• Internet Polling
• Online Gaming
• Snapchat stories
What are bullying
behaviors really
about?
The person who participates in
bullying behaviors usually want
to feel:
• Important
• Popular
• In control
• A sense of belonging in a
group
• A release of anger or hostility
(misplaced)
Students who are targets
of bullying behaviors…..

When a student is the target of bullying behaviors, the

effects can be long term:
• Depression
• Low self-esteem
• Health problems
• Poor grades
• Suicidal thoughts
• “Bullycide”: suicide connected to being the victim
of bullying/harassment
If you are a
victim of
bullying or
harassment,

It is NEVER
your fault.
 What to Do?!?!?
Don’t Feed the Rat!
It’s all about your response…
Okay?
So?
Whatever?
I don’t care?
If you are being
bullied…
• Reach out: tell a trusted adult, ask your
friends to help you (there’s safety in
numbers), practice what to say the next
time you’re bullied with your parents,
teachers or friends
• Be cool in the moment: stay calm and
confident, don’t show the person who
bullies that you’re sad or mad, ignore the
person and walk away. Remember fighting
back can make bullying worse.
• DON’T FEED THE RAT!!
• Remember – a lot of kids have to cope
with bullying. You are not alone. No one
deserves to be bullied.
Bystanders and the bystander effect…
Students who witness others being bullied often feel:
• Afraid for their own safety
• Powerless and powerless to act
• Guilty or ashamed for not intervening
• Tempted to participate
• Think someone else may step up
to help so they don’t get involved
What can you do if you
witness bullying?
• Report what you witness to an adult
• When someone brags or laughs about insulting or
harming someone, do not go along with it.
• Do not spread embarrassing pictures or video.
• Do not laugh
• Do not cheer
• Do not congratulate someone for causing harm
• Interrupt it: Say something and ask the bully to
stop or stand next to the victim
• Walk away and get help
If you are the person who bullies….
• Make a commitment to change: talk to an adult/teacher/parent about how
to get along with others. Ask a friend to help you stop your bully
behavior. Apologize to the kids you have bullied.
• Focus on EMPATHY and RESPONSIBILITY: Think about what it feels
like to be bullied. Would you want to be treated that way? Before you
speak, think about whether your words will help or hurt another student.
• Change your behavior: resist peer pressure to bully. If you start to bully,
walk away and find something else to do.
• Remember: You do not have to like everyone around you, but you have
to treat everyone with respect
How Reports of Bullying Behaviors and
Harassment are Handled at MMS
Notify an Correction/ Re-Direction
Administrator, a An Investigation of behaviors will be
addressed to stop the
Counselor, or a will be conducted bullying or harassment
Teacher behaviors

The person who

participates in bullying or In some cases,
harassment behaviors
could be removed from criminal charges
the class or campus as is may be filed
necessary
 References and
Resources
Where to go for help:
• Your MMS Counselor, Student Assistance
Counselor, Administrator, SRO or Teacher
• A parent or trusted adult
• GoogleReport form on counseling website
• www.ChooseToCare.com or 877-277-3812
• http://www.stopbullyingnow.gov/kids/