Bullying Prevention and Intervention

Cyberbullying is using the internet or other digital communication devices to send or post harmful or cruel text or images to bully others. Cyberbullying can be related to in school bullying. Sometimes a student who is being victimized at school is also being bullied online. Sometimes the student who is being victimized at school uses cyberbullying to retaliate against the school bully. Since there is no auditory or visual feedback that an action has caused harm, cyberbullying provides an illusion of invisibility and anonymity, removing concerns of detection and punishment.

https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/say-something-tips/

Examples of cyberbullying:

• Sending cruel or threatening text or instant messages
• Creating websites that ridicule or threaten others
• Posting pictures of classmates to be rated
• Sending cruel or embarrassing emails through another person’s email account
• Tricking someone into instant messaging sensitive information and then forwarding it to others
• Taking an embarrassing picture of a person using a cell phone and sending the pictures to others
• Creating a web log (blog) that invites others to post cruel or threatening messages about a person

Warning signs that a child may be a victim of cyberbullying:

• Emotional upset, depression, anger, fear, especially if upset after using the internet
• Avoidance of friends, school or other activities
• Decline in grades

What can parents do to stop cyberbullying?

• Save all the evidence of cyberbullying
• Try to identify the cyberbully
• Send a clear message stating “Do not communicate with me again or I will contact the appropriate authorities.
• Contact the ISP (internet service provider), forward messages and request the account be terminated.
• Notify the website and request removal of inappropriate material
• Contact the phone company if bullying is happening through a cell phone.
• Contact the police if severe
• Discuss bullying and cyberbullying with your children
• Emphasize the importance of speaking out against cyberbullying and reporting it to an adult

Local law enforcement can also be contacted for assistance or for more information.

Bullying can be defined as being exposed, repeatedly and over time, to negative actions on the part of one or more students (Olweus, 1993). There are three key components to all bullying situations.

1. There is always a power differential between the bully and the victim that is acquired through physical size, strength or status.
2. There is intent to harm; the child who is bullied is put in the position of oppression by the child who bullies.
3. Finally, bullying is a repeated rather than singular event.

Direct bullying involves an open attack on a person or property, such as pushing someone into a locker or destroying homework. Indirect bullying is more subtle and covert, such as social isolation or exclusion. Types of Bullying Behavior:

• Verbal bullying includes taunting, teasing, name-calling, extortion, and threats.
• Physical bullying is harm to a person or property.
• Relational aggression is harm to someone’s self-esteem or group acceptance.
• Sexual harassment is any inappropriate sexual comment, gesture, or behavior including offensive jokes, pictures and rumors that offend others.
• Cyberbullying is using the internet or other digital communication devices to send or post harmful or cruel text or images.

Research shows that without intervention, bullies are more likely to develop a criminal record and engage in antisocial behaviors while bullying victims suffer long-lasting psychological harm (Olweus, 1993). Those who bully have more cases of alcoholism and substance abuse, more antisocial personality disorders and are more likely to drop out of school. Children who are bullied have lower self-esteem and higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, illness, and suicidal ideation.
 

Bullying is not a normal part of growing up! It is important to distinguish between what is normal behavior and what is bullying.

Bullying and Conflict

Conflict is a normal part of life whereas bullying is a harmful form of peer abuse. Conflict is generally not a repeated behavior and there is a relatively equal balance of power between those involved.

Bullying and Teasing

Teasing is a normal part of growing up. Teasing is when everyone involved is having fun. There is an equal balance of power. It becomes bullying if one person is no longer having fun because the balance of power has changed and someone is being physically or emotionally hurt.  

Contact the Prevention Office at 727-588-6348 or 727-588-5135 for more information.

Stop Bullying.Gov
A federal government website managed by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services 200 Independence Avenue, S.W. - Washington, D.C. 2020.  Lots of information for students, parents, and teachers.  Free resources will be sent to you upon request.  Resource kit that provides a CD-ROM and fact sheets on the Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Campaign.

Approved Evidence-Based Programs and Curriculum

Approved Evidence-Based Programs and Curriculum that are authorized to provide intentional instruction to students, parents/legal guardians, teachers, school administrators, counseling staff, and school volunteers on identifying, preventing, and responding to bullying or harassment, including instruction on recognizing behaviors that lead to bullying and harassment and taking appropriate preventative action based on those observations:

• Second Step Program (Bullying Prevention) Unit Grades K-5
• Monique Burr Foundations for Children, Inc.’s Child Safety Matters (Bullying Prevention) Grades K-5
• Creating a Safe and Respectful Environment in Our Nation’s Classrooms

The below approved websites offer resources to be used in conjunction with the approved Evidence-Based Programs and Curriculum listed above:

Common Sense Media K-12

Florida Department of Education- Bullying Prevention

Decisions to include additional Evidence-Based Instructional Programs or Activities not previously listed in the policy will be made on a case-by-case basis by the Superintendent and/or appropriate school district staff. 

Each year, thousands of schools and youth organizations nationwide participate in Start With Hello Week, a national annual event dedicated to making new social connections and creating a sense of belonging among youth. 
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