Think2xTwice.org offers free anti bullying workshops for parents, students and teachers. Visit the website www.think2xtwice.org for more info or contact Traci Fant CEO Think2xTwice.org directly at stopteenviolence@live.com

1. PRESENTATION FOR PARENTS &

2. Bullying is…
An intentional written, verbal or physical act, including but
not limited to one shown to be motivated by any
characteristic such as race, color, religion, ancestry, national
origin, gender, sexual orientation, mental or physical
disability, or other distinguishing characteristics, when the
intentional act:
(a) Physically harms a student or damages his/her property
(b) Substantially interferes with the student’s education
(c) Is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it creates an
intimidating or threatening educational environment
(d) Or substantially disrupts the orderly operation of a school

3. Simply stated, bullying…
Is intimidating or subjecting a person to hostility or ill
treatment .
Involves actions which cause another person to feel
afraid, humiliated, embarrassed, threatened or shamed.
Occurs in a relationship in which there is an imbalance
of power.
Is repeated over time

4. Bullying Happens in Five Ways:
Verbal: Teasing, jokes, ignoring/isolation, gossip, threats
Physical: Blocking someone’s path, physical restraint,
pushing/kicking, hazing
Sexual: Teasing, touching, slapping, pictures, emails,
graffiti, sexual assault
Property: Hiding belongings, theft, arson, extortion,
vandalism, destruction
Online: Cyberbullying is a type of bullying that happens
online or through text messages or emails.

5. Bullying is NOT…
A normal childhood activity
A rite of passage
The target’s fault

6. Differentiating Bullying from Normal
Peer Conflict/Mean Behavior:
Normal conflict/mean behavior
Equal power or are friends
Happens occasionally
Accidental
Not serious
Equal emotional reaction
Not seeking power
Remorse-will take responsibility
Effort to solve the problem
Bullying
Imbalance of power
Repeated negative actions
Intentional
Physical or emotional harm
Unequal emotional reaction
Seeking control/material things
No remorse-blames target
No effort to solve the problem

7. For the target, bullying is a “loss” experience.
LOSS of safety
LOSS of self-esteem
LOSS of belonging
LOSS of control over their own life

8. Effects of Bullying on the Target:
Physical Effects
Stomach aches
Weight loss/gain
Headaches
Drop in grades
Drug or alcohol use
Sexual activity
Physical aggression
Suicidal
Homicidal
Emotional Effects
Alienation
Low self-esteem
Insecurity
FEAR
Depression
Withdrawn
Aggression
Anger
Vengeful

9. Warning Signs that your child may be the
target of bullies:
Frequently teased, taunted belittled, ridiculed, intimidated,
threatened, dominated or subdued
Has a derogatory nickname
Regularly has bruises or injuries that can’t be explained
Has belongings taken or damaged
Few or no close friends at school

10. MORE Warning Signs:
Frequently socially isolated
Less assertive or lacks the skills to respond to others’ teasing
or
Harassment
Appears weak or easily dominated
Tries to stay close to a teacher or other adult at recess or breaks
Talk with your child about bullying!

11. What To Do if you suspect your child
is being bullied:
Talk with your child
If your child is being bullied, they need to have a voice in how
the situation is handled.
Contact the school
Set up a meeting with your child’s teacher(s) or counselor.
Consider including the school resource officer if applicable.
Develop a plan for keeping your child safe, particularly during
vulnerable times (class breaks, lunch, recess).
Find out what activities or counseling options are available for
your child.
Contact police or school resource officer if the actions are:
criminal (assault, theft, serious threats, vandalism

12. Recommendations if you suspect your child is
being bullied:
Don’t encourage your child to fight back—
two wrongs don’t make a right!
Listen to your child, do not ignore your child’s plea for help.
Don’t confront the parents or the other child directly.
Avoid bringing your child and the bully together to elicit an
apology or resolve the issue.

13. What about the bully?
Studies show that children identified as bullies by age 8 are six
times more likely to be convicted of a crime by age 24.
60% of kids characterized as bullies in the 6th-9th grade had at
least one criminal conviction by age 24.
Bullies are five times more likely to end up with a serious
criminal record by age 30.

14. Contributing Factors Associated with Bullying:
Family Factors
Lack of attention and warmth
Modeling of aggressive behavior at home
Poor supervision
Individual Factors
Active, impulsive personality
Lack of empathy for others
Craves attention and approval from others
School
School climate is perceived as uncaring or indifferent
Teachers/staff unaware or unclear of bullying definitions or
how to respond

15. What motivates a bully?
Bullies prey on an imbalance of power.
They may be seeking attention.
They need to make themselves feel more important.
They need a particular reaction from the other members
of the group.
Bullies believe their behavior is exciting and makes them
more popular.

16. What motivates a bully?
They may be coping with a loss.
They may have an active and impulsive temperament.
They may be victims of bullying/abuse.
They may see violence modeled at home or elsewhere in
their lives.
They may have low self-esteem.

17. Warning Signs that your child may be
bullying others:
Frequent name-calling
Regular bragging
A need to always get his/her own way
Spending more time with younger or less powerful kids
A lack of empathy for others
A defiant or hostile attitude, easily takes offense
Frequent misbehavior at school

18. What To Do if you suspect your child
may be bullying others:
Talk with your child
Never condone bullying behavior; speak up and tell your child that
the behavior they are engaging in is considered bullying.
Encourage empathy for others
Remind your child that everyone has a right to be themselves, to choose
their own friends and to feel safe at school.
Review consequences of bullying behavior
Both discipline consequences and relationship consequences
Reinforce respectful behaviors at home
Help your child deal with feelings in positive ways
Contact the school for help
Set up a meeting with your child’s teacher(s) or counselor.
Develop a plan for change.

19. School Interventions/Consequences for Bullying:
Warning
Verbal and written
Permanently documented
Coaching/Intervention
Anger Management, Conflict Resolution/ Communication/
Problem Solving Skills, Diversity Training during
school or before, during, or after school detention.
May be provided by administrators, teachers, counselors,
school psychologists, or school resource officers
Suspension/Expulsion
Referral to Law Enforcement (if applicable)

21. What is Cyber bullying?
Cyber bullying- a means of using online
resources to
tease, humiliate, embarrass, harass, and
intimidate people on the Internet.
Cyber bullying is a serious social problem
that needs to be addressed by parents.
Remember just because it happens on the
Internet does not diminish the destructive
impact it has on children.

22. Few examples of Cyber Bullying:
A threatening e-mail , nasty Instant Messages
Repeated notes sent to the cell phone
A website set up to mock others “Borrowing”
someone’s screen name and pretending to be
them while posting a message
Forwarding supposedly private
messages, pictures, or video to others. Posting
derogatory videos and pictures online

23. Why do kids cyber bully each other?
Cyber bullying is often motivated by frustration,
anger, revenge or entertainment.
Most kids who cyber bully don’t think it is a big
deal because it occurs online.
Many kids mistakenly believe that because the
communication is online that is harmless, funny
and that they will never get caught.
Many students do not think about the
consequences of their actions.
They don’t think in terms of how their actions
may affect themselves or others in the future.

24. Possible consequences of cyber bullying:
The impact on a child’s psyche can be enormous. They get the
feeling that their life is ruined, that their reputation is
destroyed forever and that they will have to live with the
defamation for the rest of their lives.

25. How do you know if someone is being
cyberbullied?
Here are some signs to look out for:
Long hours on the computer
Is secretive about Internet activities
Behavioral changes
Won't say who they are talking to
May find unexplained pictures on computer
Trouble sleeping
Stomach and headaches, lack of appetite, throwing up
Fear of going to out of the house
Crying for no apparent reason
Lack of interest at social events that include other students
Complains of illness before school or community events often
Change in attitude, dress or habits
Unexplained broken personal possessions, loss of money
Stories that don't seem to make sense
Acting out aggression at home
Teach your child to communicate. If an adult or a child someone is being cyber bullied, do not
accept the bullying behavior as a problem your child has to live with. The bullying behavior is
the responsibility of the bully, not the child being bullied

26. What should you as a parent do if your child
is cyberbullied? :
Inform the school principal or teacher if the bullying is
school related.
Save all messages for evidence.
Inform police if threatened with harm.
Stress to your kids that what is written on the Internet is
on there permanently!!

27. What can parents do to help their child?
Be an advocate for your child.
Teach your child to be an advocate for him/herself.
Know your kids passwords.
Look for any changes in behavior.
Monitor your child’s computer use.
Establish an AUP contract for online use.

28. How to approach the school:
Every school should have a very specific policy on dealing with
bullying. The school’s anti-bullying policy should state who your
first point of contact should be. Telephone the school and request
an appointment with the appropriate person or the Principal.
Have your facts prepared;
Names of children involved and of witnesses. Your son/daughter
may not be the only one being bullied
The nature of the incident/s
Dates, times and locations of incidents
At the meeting:
Ask to have the incident investigated.
Ask what support the school can offer your son/daughter, e.g.
counseling or supervised mediation between the parties if
appropriate.
What action will be taken to protect your child from retaliation?

29. Please visit the website www.Think2xTwice.org for more info about workshops or
to make a donation towards our efforts.
Visit these additional websites for Bully Resources:
Think2xTwice.org sponsored site: http://www.nowaytobullying.webs.com/
Resources to keep your kids safe= www.kidpower.org
Help in a bullying situation= www.bullyhelp.org
If someone you know is being bullied or is bullying others=
www.stopbullying.gov
Cyber bullying info= www.cyberbullyhelp.com
Someone you know is being bullied or is bullying others
www.stopbullyingnow.com
Bully policies and report by state= www.bullypolice.org