Bullying is a significant problem that is experienced worldwide (Cook et al., 2010; Demaray et al., 2016; Yahia et al., 2021).
This phenomenon affects millions of people each year, with an estimated 10–30% of students being involved in bullying (Cook et al., 2010), which has the potential for lasting, oppressive negative outcomes.
In fact, one in three children have experienced bullying within the past 30 days, which increases the risk of poor health, social and educational outcomes in childhood and adolescence (Armitage, 2021).
Further, bullying can potentially cause bodily harm, emotional distress, and deprivation of rights. And even witnessing bullying can negatively affect someone’s wellbeing (Chen et al., 2021).
Bullying requires a comprehensive response. It is a multi-faceted epidemic that has alarming consequences, and here we will look at how schools can better manage this challenging social problem using anti-bullying programs.
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To understand bullying, it is critical to be able to define what bullying is. There is a distinct difference between harassment and bullying, as bullying is repeated behavior.
Bullying has been defined in many ways. Bullying was simply known as the hurtful action of a person to another person and has evolved into an even more specific phenomenon. A more specific definition is an unwanted aggressive action or repeated behavior that involves an imbalance of power (Ngussa & Mwema, 2021).
However, it is important to note that there is a difference between conflict and bullying. The treatment of an individual is considered bullying if it is pervasive and ongoing.
Bullying may be verbal, social, sexual, physical, racist, consist of threats and coercion, cause the loss of property and money, or lead to violence with lies (Mammadova, 2022). However, the following examples are in alignment with these four categories: physical, social, verbal, and property bullying (Peng et al., 2022). We would be remiss if we didn’t also mention cyberbullying, which is a newer form of bullying.
Physical bullying includes overt physical aggression and assault and may comprise pushing, kicking, punching, slapping, etc. (Armitage, 2021).
Example: Tanya shoves Nancy daily when Nancy doesn’t hand over her lunch money.
Social bullying, also known as relational bullying, is the deliberate and repetitive use of attitudes or words to make another person uncomfortable; control, humiliate, or isolate them; or damage their integrity, reputation, or self-esteem. This may also include excluding someone on purpose, telling others not to be friends with someone, spreading rumors about someone, or embarrassing someone in public.
Example: Kristi tells Tara that their friend Tracy still wets the bed and that she should no longer be friends with such a person.
Verbal bullying is characterized by direct verbal attacks that are highly personal. This type of bullying may include teasing, taunting, or threatening behavior directed at the victim’s appearance, abilities, family, culture, race, or religion (Armitage, 2021).
Example: Joshua creates a song about Trenton’s nose and sings it loudly in the hallways between classes.
Property bullying entails the physical harm, damage, and destruction of someone’s property (Chen et al., 2021).
Example: Robert snatched away Chad’s baseball glove, which was given to him by his grandfather. Robert tosses the glove in the mud and smashes it with his foot while taunting Chad.
Cyberbullying concerns pictures or messages sent online (Johansson & Englund, 2021). Although this is a newer type of bullying, with the rise of social media, it has the potential to be even more devastating.
Example: Sarah snaps an unflattering picture of Desiree and creates a meme about her weight. She sends this picture to everyone on her contact list, and this picture is now circulating at school.
Anti-bullying policies in schools vary; however, all schools that receive public funding are subjected to the federal laws that protect individuals from bullying and harassment in the United States.
Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects students discriminated against based on their race, color, or national origin. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) both prohibit discrimination based on disability.
Bullying reporting will be fundamental to preventing and addressing bullying. Anonymity should be kept in reporting, as victims need to feel safe enough to report the acts.
New Jersey has a very comprehensive bullying prevention system, including anonymous reporting and lead coordinators of a bullying task force.
While these policies are plentiful and appear solid, are they effective?
Regarding cyberbullying, Peng et al. (2022) conducted a study on an anti-bullying educational intervention implemented with junior high school students in China. The results showed positive changes in bullying-related awareness and a willingness to participate in bullying prevention activities.
Yahia et al. (2021) confirmed that physical education and sports classes play a positive role in reducing bullying among middle school students. Physical education helps to prepare students healthily, psychologically, and socially by assisting students in improving their mobility, physical, psychological, cognitive, social, and emotional abilities as well as by reducing day-to-day tensions.
Although anti-bullying programs appear to be effective, emphasis should be placed on “cultivating comprehensive, multi-tiered climates of acceptance and inclusion” (Lessard et al., 2022, p. 10).
These detailed, science-based exercises will equip educators with tools to foster student well-being and boost academic performance.
