Share this page on Social Media

Bullying Prevention

Bullying Prevention

What Is Bullying

School District of Lee County No Bullies iconBullying is repeated, unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying can occur in-person or through digital technologies. Key points to consider:

  • Someone who bullies' power can be derived from physical size, strength, verbal skill, popularity, or gender.
  • A person being bullied may feel tormented, helpless, and defenseless.
  • Bullying can include hitting, name-calling, threatening, intimidating, kicking, spreading rumors, teasing, pushing, tripping, excluding someone from a group, or destroying someone's things.
  • Cyberbullying can include using email, social media, blogs, chat rooms, text messaging, or other online digital methods of communication.

Please refer to our Conflict-Rude-Mean-Bullying behavior charts to help distinguish between conflict, rude, mean, or bullying behavior.

Bullying Hurts

Short Information Video on Bullying

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying

Prevention Pointers Newsletter on Bullying Prevention

Our newsletter includes information regarding bullying , cyberbullying, being an upstander, and signs of bullying that parents can watch out for.

If You Suspect Your Child Is Being Bullied

DO's

  • DO contact the school for assistance.
  • DO make sure your child knows being bullied is not his or her fault.
  • DO let your child know that he or she does not have to face being bullied alone.
  • DO discuss ways of responding to those who bully others.
  • DO teach your child to be assertive.
  • DO tell your child to report bullying immediately to a trusted adult.
  • DO look at your own child's behavior and style of interaction and consider how to help him or her handle these types of situations in the future.

DON'Ts

  • DON'T ask children to solve a bullying problem between themselves - because of the differences of power, the child who has been bullied will suffer further. Bullying problems require adult intervention.
  • DON'T advise a child to fight whoever is bullying them. Besides being a violation of the school code of conduct, the child could be seriously injured.
  • DON'T try to mediate a bullying situation. Bringing together children who are bullied and those who do the bullying to "work out" the problems between them is not a good idea. It may further victimize a child who is being bullied and it sends a wrong message to both parties.
  • DON'T focus blame on either target or the person who is bullying. Instead, gather as much information as possible.

Tips for Parents

Prevent your child from becoming a TARGET:

  • Instill self-confidence in your child.
  • Help your child establish good social skills.
  • Teach your child to speak out for himself or herself.
  • Teach your child to seek help, if harassed, from you and other caring adults.

Prevent your child from BULLYING others:

  • Present yourself as a model of nonviolent behavior.
  • Clearly state that violence is not acceptable.
  • Assist your child in finding nonviolent strategies for anger management and conflict resolution.
  • Seek help from school personnel.