Understanding the Difference Between Harassment and Bullying | Corona, CA

Harassment and bullying are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinct behaviors with specific characteristics and legal implications.

Bullying

Bullying typically involves repeated aggressive behavior that is intended to cause harm, distress, or imbalance of power. It often occurs within a relationship where there is an imbalance of power, such as between peers or from a group to an individual. Bullying can manifest in various forms, including verbal (name-calling, taunting), physical (hitting, pushing), social (exclusion, spreading rumors), or cyber (online harassment, threats). The key aspect of bullying is the repetitive nature of the behavior and the power differential between the perpetrator and the victim.

Harassment

Harassment, on the other hand, involves unwanted and unwelcome behavior that creates a hostile or intimidating environment. It can occur in various contexts, including schools, workplaces, or public settings. Harassment is often targeted based on specific characteristics such as race, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation. Unlike bullying, harassment does not necessarily require a power imbalance or repetition. It can be a single severe incident or a pattern of behavior that creates an intimidating or offensive environment for the victim.

Legal Distinctions

From a legal standpoint, harassment can have specific legal definitions and consequences depending on the context and jurisdiction. Laws and policies may vary, but they generally aim to protect individuals from discrimination and create a safe environment free from harassment. Bullying, while often addressed through school or organizational policies, may not always have specific legal statutes unless it escalates to criminal behavior or harassment.

Conclusion

Understanding the distinction between harassment and bullying is essential for effectively addressing and preventing these behaviors. While bullying involves repeated aggression and a power imbalance, harassment encompasses unwanted behavior that creates a hostile environment, often based on specific characteristics. By recognizing these differences and taking appropriate actions, schools, workplaces, and communities can foster environments that promote respect, inclusion, and safety for all individuals.

For more information about simple acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org.

Understanding the Factors Behind Childhood Bullying | Corona, CA

Childhood bullying is a complex issue influenced by various factors that contribute to the behavior of those who bully. While there is no single cause, several common elements often play a role in shaping the actions of children who engage in bullying behavior.

1. Family Dynamics

Family dynamics can significantly impact a child’s behavior, including bullying. Children who experience aggression or violence at home may mimic these behaviors in other settings, such as school or social environments. Inconsistent discipline, lack of parental involvement, or harsh parenting styles can also contribute to a child’s aggression and bullying tendencies.

2. Peer Influence

Peer relationships play a crucial role in shaping behavior during childhood and adolescence. Children who associate with peers who engage in bullying behavior may be more likely to adopt similar actions to fit in or gain social status within their peer group. Peer pressure and the desire to be accepted can lead children to mimic or participate in bullying behaviors.

3. Low Empathy

A lack of empathy or understanding of others’ feelings is often linked to bullying behavior. Children who struggle to empathize with their peers may not recognize the harm caused by their actions. This lack of empathy can be influenced by factors such as social isolation, emotional neglect, or exposure to aggressive or antisocial behaviors in their environment.

4. Seeking Power or Control

Bullying can be a way for children to exert power or control over others. Children who feel powerless or marginalized may resort to bullying as a means of gaining dominance or asserting their perceived superiority. This behavior can be reinforced if the child receives attention, admiration, or social status from peers for their aggressive actions.

5. Behavioral Issues

Some children who engage in bullying behavior may have underlying behavioral issues or difficulties managing their emotions. Impulsivity, frustration, or a lack of social skills can contribute to aggressive or confrontational behavior towards others. Addressing these underlying issues through counseling, therapy, or behavioral interventions can help mitigate bullying behaviors.

Understanding the factors that contribute to childhood bullying is essential for developing effective prevention and intervention strategies. By addressing family dynamics, promoting empathy and positive peer relationships, and providing support for children with behavioral challenges, we can create environments where bullying behavior is less likely to occur. Through education, awareness, and proactive measures, we can work towards fostering a culture of kindness, respect, and inclusion for all children.

For more information about simple acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org.

The Lasting Impact of Childhood Bullying | Corona, CA

Bullying, a pervasive issue in childhood and adolescence, leaves a lasting impact that extends far beyond the schoolyard. While often dismissed as a rite of passage or a phase of growing up, the effects of bullying can be profound and enduring, shaping the mental, emotional, and social development of its victims.

Emotional Scars

One of the most significant impacts of childhood bullying is its effect on emotional well-being. Victims often experience heightened levels of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem well into adulthood. The constant fear of being targeted, coupled with the shame and humiliation of being bullied, can lead to deep-seated emotional scars that persist over time. These emotional wounds can affect relationships, career opportunities, and overall quality of life.

Social Isolation

Bullying can also lead to social withdrawal and isolation. Victims may struggle to trust others, fearing rejection or ridicule. This social withdrawal can perpetuate feelings of loneliness and alienation, making it difficult to form meaningful connections later in life. The lack of social support further exacerbates the psychological impact of bullying, leaving victims feeling isolated and alone in their experiences.

Long-Term Consequences

Studies have shown that childhood bullying can have long-term consequences on mental health. Victims are at increased risk of developing anxiety disorders, depression, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These conditions can manifest years after the bullying has ended, underscoring the enduring nature of its impact.

Coping Mechanisms

While the effects of childhood bullying can be profound, it’s important to note that resilience and support systems can play a crucial role in mitigating these effects. Building resilience through therapy, support groups, or positive relationships can help individuals cope with past trauma and develop healthier coping mechanisms.

Awareness and Prevention

To combat the lasting impact of childhood bullying, awareness and prevention efforts are crucial. Educating children, parents, and educators about the signs of bullying and fostering a culture of empathy and respect can create safer environments where bullying is less likely to occur.

Clearly, childhood bullying is more than just a childhood issue—it leaves lasting scars on its victims that can impact their emotional well-being, social development, and overall quality of life well into adulthood. By understanding the profound effects of bullying and taking proactive measures to prevent it, we can create a safer and more supportive environment for all children to thrive.

For more information about simple acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org.

The Difference Between Harassment and Bullying | Corona, CA

The difference between bullying and harassment is a thin line. They both revolve around power dynamics, control, harmful actions, and the perceived ability of the target to stop their experience. Yet, the things that differentiate bullying from harassment stem from the notion that the target its part of a “protected class” designation. Here are some things to be aware of when you consider whether what your child is experiencing is bullying or harassment.

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Who Is at Increased Risk for Bullying? | Corona, CA

Bullying happens, and any child can be bullied for several reasons. Unfortunately, however, some individuals become a target of bullying more than others. Whether children are spreading hate online or in person, the consequences can be damaging for the recipient. Whether your child is the direct recipient or an indirect observer, bullying is so common, it’s likely every child will have some relationship with bullying.

Students seen as being ‘different’ or ‘non-conforming’ to their peers are at an increased risk of being the recipient of bullying. Children with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, those who are overweight, those perceived as insecure, and the quiet ones are all potential targets of being ‘othered’ and bullied because of it. Instead of being accepted for who they are, these students are made to feel poorly about the ways they were born, and how they move through the world.

What’s worse, is that many targets of bullying aren’t speaking to their families or teachers about their experience. Many times, they feel hopeless, that they won’t be believed, or that if they were to share, an adult will take actions that result in retaliation against them once out of the adult’s sight. As an adult, it’s important to make your child or student feel heard, safe, and take actionable steps that work to mitigate the chances of retaliation.

If you would like to learn more about bullying, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

Bullying Can Feel Like a Taboo Topic for Kids | Corona, CA

On average, 160,000 students around the nation stay home daily because they fear being bullied at school. What’s more, it’s likely parents are unaware their child is being bullied. Unfortunately, kids can feel shame and social pressure to keep this information to themselves. Some may even feel that if they did share their experience, it would either fail to help the situation or make things worse. It’s important to understand that bullying happens, that it could be happening to your child and the reasons why he or she might not bring this to your attention. Here are a few things that may be happening in the background of your child’s experience that may keep them from sharing.

Labeling. Children do not possess the understanding that what they do and say to one another matters, and carries real-world implications. On the playground, a child’s reputation can be created in an instant and stay with them throughout their elementary school experience. This label can be anything from “timid” to “tattle tale”. It’s important to differentiate for a child what is important to share with an adult, and what is playground banter.

Retaliation. Adults can only do so much when it comes to bullying intervention. Adults can certainly converse with the bully to understand what is going on and address the concerns of the bullied child. Yet, they can’t always be around to monitor the behavior or intervene when things escalate. When a bully gets confronted about his or her actions, it tells them someone (likely the child being bullied) told on them. In the moments when no one is looking are when acts of retaliation can occur.

Being believed. Sadly, many children don’t think their parents will believe they are being bullied, or be victim blamed. Children may also take responsibility for the bully’s actions because they believe themselves unworthy of being treated kindly, or the cause of the bully’s behavior. It’s important to listen to your child and allow their feelings to be validated before taking action such as speaking with their teacher or the bully’s parents.

It’s useless. Research tends to support the notion that telling a parent is unlikely to stop bullying. All too often, when a child shares their situation with an adult, it is met with “toughen up”, “it’s a part of life”, or “he’s only doing it because he likes you and doesn’t know how else to express his feelings”. These are dangerous lessons to teach children about how to deal with these situations. It dismisses them, their feelings, and the actions of the bully, and teaches them that they should accept the way others treat them, rather than how to appropriately deal with the situation.

Shame. Shame and embarrassment are real feelings children carry around their bullying experience. When a child feels ashamed for any reason or embarrassed by the actions and reactions of their peers, it’s less likely they will speak up. They have to live with these feelings at school around their peers and might fear their parents will make them feel this way at home.

Bullying is never okay, and the victim’s feelings are always valid. Your child may not bring their experience to your attention, so it’s important to listen and encourage them to share their feelings. If they say things that may hint to instances of being bullied, but won’t tell you outright, it may be a good idea to speak with their teacher to learn more. That may allow you an avenue to begin asking the right questions at home and get to the bottom of why they may be acting strangely or quietly at home.

If you would like to learn more about simple acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

Cyber Bullying: What to Look for and How to Stop It | Corona, CA

March 23, 2022 | Beau Yarbrough, Los Angeles Daily News

Most students report having been cyber bullied, but some schools have been able to reduce incidents by hiring additional counselors and creating online portals to report bullying and putting links to them everywhere.

(TNS) — Today’s kids face bullying and other dangers in two worlds, one online and the other offline.

“Parenting is parenting and digital spaces are just another place that kids hang out,” said Stephanie M. Reich, professor of education at UC Irvine.

A new Southern California News Group analysis shows that 33.5 percent of California secondary students reported being bullied or harassed in the past 12 months in an anonymous survey distributed in three-quarters of California school districts.

But the same kind of practical advice parents give their children before heading to school or a friend’s house can also protect them from cyber bullying online.

“When your kid is little and they want to go to the park, you don’t just open the door and say ‘There you go,’” Reich said.

According to a survey conducted between May and June 2021 by the Cyberbullying Research Center, 23.2 percent of children in America had been cyber bullied, with the highest numbers experienced by 15 year olds, 27.7 percent of whom had said they’d been bullied.

Cyber bullying can take many forms, from messages or social media posts intended to upset the target, online gossip, recording and posting offline bullying online, or impersonating bullying victims or creating doctored images to defame them.

In a 2018 Pew Research Center survey, 59 percent of teens surveyed said they’d experienced cyber bullying at some point.

“People always think about it as this dark shadowy thing that nobody is aware of that’s somehow different than what bullying is like,” Reich said. “But cyber bullying is a lot like in-person bullying.”

The consequences of cyber bullying, however, can be more severe than offline bullying, according to the National Institutes of Health. Cyber bullying victims are more likely to suffer from depression than those who are bullied in other ways, for example.

There are school districts in California that have much lower reported rates of bullying — some as low as one-third the statewide average. The rates are typically a result of improving school mental health climates, hiring additional counselors and implementing more robust anti-bullying policies and procedures.

More and more, school districts are taking what happens online as seriously as what happens on campus, according to Loretta Whitson, executive director of California Association of School Counselors.

“I can tell you that, many times, kids were pretty upset about being suspended when they (bullied) online, when they were at home,” she said. “But it disrupted education, and that was the rule.”

Districts with low rates of reported bullying often create online portals to report bullying and put links to them everywhere, including on students’ Chromebooks or other district-issued devices, by posting QR codes around campus and placing links on district and school websites. They also sometimes monitor how students use district devices and Internet use, flagging signs of bullying.

Jurupa Unified in Riverside County has both widespread links to the district’s bullying reporting line and uses software to flag when students visit inappropriate websites, including those dealing with drug use or self-harm.

The reporting tools have been getting a workout in the past two years.

“Since the pandemic, even during the virtual year, the actionable reports that have been put in have greatly increased,” said Monty Owens, the district’s director of educational equity.

The biggest way the districts combat cyber bullying, though, is the same way they combat it offline: By changing the school and district culture.

“One of the key characteristics of schoolyard bullying is that there’s a bunch of bystanders standing by, watching, not doing anything,” Reich said. “It’s the same in digital spaces. We want to train kids to intervene.”

That training is taking place in school districts with lower bullying rates. But Reich says there’s more work to do off school grounds to combat bullying.

“It’s really about a community that doesn’t tolerate it on the playground and they don’t tolerate it in digital spaces,” she said.

To get ahead of the issue, Reich said children should learn empathy to help prevent cyber bullying.

“If you’re empathetic, you’re not going to hurt others online and you’re less likely to tolerate it happening to other people online,” she said.

And that includes empathy for the bullies, too.

“Cyber bullies are often cyber-victims themselves,” she said.

Plus, she said, “they often have households that are not great. They have very neglectful parents or very laissez faire ones. They’re usually bullies because they’re trying to assert control.”

Reich believes parents should teach their children to be aware of the possible dangers online and how to avoid them, as well as develop trust with children so they are willing to share about things that concern or upset them.

“If you cultivate a high quality relationship with your child, you can have those conversations with them, whether it’s about digital spaces or offline,” Reich said.

With her own children, she gave her kids access to digital devices and the Internet gradually, based on their developmental stage. And just like talking about the hazards one could encounter on the way to the park, she spoke to her children about how algorithms for various social platforms shove engaging content at users without any concern about whether it’s healthy or accurate.

“We’re just trying to cultivate our kids being conscious and aware when they’re using devices,” she said.

And for parents looking for specific practical advice, the Boy Scouts — who have an online safety training course for scouts as young as first grade — have some tips:

Common types of cyber bullying

  • Flaming, trolling or trash talking by sending or posting hostile messages intended to upset others
  • Recording someone being harassed or bullied, then posting the video online for public viewing
  • Identify theft or impersonation
  • Doctored images
  • Physical threats
  • Spreading rumors or public shaming

Signs a child may be a victim of cyber bullying

  • Avoids computer, cell phone and other devices
  • Appears stressed when receiving an email, instant message or text message
  • Withdraws from family and friends
  • Reluctant to attend school or social events
  • Avoids conversations about their computer use
  • Exhibits signs of low self-esteem, including depression or fear
  • Has declining grades
  • Has poor eating or sleeping habits
  • Acts secretive when online

What to do if your child is being cyber bullied

  • Encourage your child not to respond to the bully
  • Do not erase the messages or pictures, and take screenshots and save them as evidence
  • Try to identify the individual doing the cyber bullying, even if the cyber bully is anonymous
  • If the cyber/gaming bullying is criminal — such as threats of violence, extortion, obscene or harassing phone calls or text messages, stalking, hate crimes or child pornography — contact the police

This story is part of a 2021 Data Fellowship with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.

If you would like to learn more about random acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

It’s Time the World Stands Up to Bullying | Corona, CA

When it comes to bullying, there isn’t just the bullied that is affected. Of course, the victim hurt on many different levels. But the bully is also affected – after all, hurt people hurt people. Even those that are a witness to said bullying are affected. No one likes to see someone hurting. Therefore, it is so important that we combat bullying any way we can.

In the United States alone, 20 percent of children between the ages of 12 and 18 say they have experienced some type of bullying. That is a heartbreaking statistic. But if you think of it on a global scale, one-third of the world’s youth are bullied. Those who did the bullying had more social influence, more money, or were physically stronger than the person they bullied. You see, they have this idea that they’re “better” than you. And unfortunately, it can happen at any point in time. The bullying will take place in a school cafeteria, hallway, classroom, school grounds, or bathroom. Some bullies also use texting and online platforms to target their victims.

But there is hope… In 2008, Canada celebrated the first International Stand Up to Bullying Day. It started in February, but it is celebrated twice a year. And today is that day. Schools around the world are celebrating this anti-bullying tour de force by wearing a pink shirt to spread awareness of this very important cause. Because this can’t be done by one student alone – we all need to stand up to bullying if it’s ever going to stop.

So, wear that pink shirt with pride and put your foot down against bullying.

If you would like to learn more about random acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.

My Big Idea: Anti-Bullying Software for the Classroom | Corona, CA

OCTOBER 12, 2022 | by ALENE BOURANOVA

It’s no secret that bullying is still prevalent in classrooms. In fact, one in five children report being bullied during their school years.

It’s also not a secret that thanks to staff shortages and budget cuts, teachers and counselors are increasingly being asked to cover more and more students, making it easier for instances of bullying to slip through the cracks.

That’s where Brave Up comes in.

The software, which Juan Ramirez (Questrom’21) and Enrique De Lima (CAS’21) helped bring to market, is aimed at students and counselors to help predict, detect, and prevent bullying and cyberbullying inside K–12 classrooms. Brave Up launched in early 2022 and is in use in 150-plus schools across both the United States and Latin America, where much of the leadership team is from.

Comprehensive anti-bullying software has been a long time coming in the education technology space, says Ramirez, Brave Up’s head of revenue and strategy. And particularly now, with students back in classrooms after COVID lockdowns and struggling to adjust to a changed social landscape.

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If you would like to learn more about random acts of kindness, contact Simple Acts of Care and Kindness at 866-459-7225 or visit www.simpleacts.org for additional information.