What is bullying?

Bullying is a form of aggression, in which one or more children repeatedly and intentionally intimidate, harass or harm a victim who is perceived as less powerful.

The targets of bullying are often perceived as being different from or less powerful than peers for any number of factors:

• Social or economic status
• Physical size or strength
• Physical disability
• Learning disorder
• Minority status ethnically, racially or religiously
• Sexual orientation or gender identity

Bullying can take many forms:

• Physical. This type of bullying includes hitting, tripping and kicking, as well as destruction of a child's property.
• Verbal. Verbal bullying includes teasing, name-calling, taunting and making inappropriate sexual comments.
• Psychological or social. This type of bullying involves spreading rumors about a child, embarrassing him or her in public, or excluding him or her from a group.
• Electronic. Cyberbullying involves threatening or harming others through the use of email, websites, social media platforms, text messages, or videos and photos shared electronically.