What Is Bullying? The Definitive Guide for Schools, Parents and Students.
- Marc Wilkes
- Oct 16, 2025
- 4 min read
🦸♂️ What Is Bullying?
Bullying isn’t “kids being kids.” It’s unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance... and it can leave lasting emotional, social, and academic scars on everyone involved.
At Omegaman & Friends, we’ve seen how bullying can damage confidence and school culture. Through our interactive school assembly programs, we help students recognize what bullying looks like, understand why it happens, and learn safe, positive ways to stop it.
⚡ What Counts as Bullying?
According to StopBullying.gov, behavior is considered bullying only when it is intentional, repeated, and involves a power imbalance.
1️⃣ Imbalance of Power
Kids who bully may use their popularity, physical strength, or access to embarrassing information to harm or control others.
2️⃣ Repetition
True bullying behaviors happen more than once or have the potential to recur over time.
3️⃣ Intent to Harm
The behavior isn’t accidental or playful — it’s meant to hurt, embarrass, or isolate another person.
🧩 The Three Main Types of Bullying
💬 Verbal Bullying
Saying or writing mean things such as:
Teasing or name-calling
Taunting or threatening to cause harm
Inappropriate sexual comments
🤝 Social (Relational) Bullying
Damaging someone’s reputation or friendships by:
Leaving someone out on purpose
Spreading rumors or gossip
Encouraging others not to be friends with someone
💥 Physical Bullying
Hurting someone’s body or possessions through:
Hitting, pushing, tripping, or spitting
Taking or breaking belongings
Making rude hand gestures
💻 Cyberbullying
Using technology or digital platforms to harm or intimidate others, including:
Sending hurtful or threatening messages online or through text
Posting embarrassing photos or videos
Spreading rumors on social media or gaming platforms
Impersonating someone to damage their reputation
🌐 Where and When Bullying Happens
Bullying can occur anywhere — in the classroom, on the playground, on the bus, or online.Data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) shows that 19 percent of students in grades 9–12 reported being bullied on school property within the past year.
It can also happen:
While traveling to and from school
During after-school programs or sports
Inside group chats or online games
📱 Cyberbullying: The New Playground
Cyberbullying takes place on phones, computers, or tablets — and it spreads fast.
Common examples include:
Posting or sharing false information about someone
Sending mean messages or threats
Impersonating another person online
Sharing private photos or screenshots
💡 Because online posts
can reach hundreds of people instantly, cyberbullying often feels inescapable for students.
🧠 The Impact of Bullying
The effects of bullying can last long after the incident ends.
Students who are bullied may experience:
Anxiety, depression, or low self-esteem
Academic struggles or absenteeism
Isolation from friends and family
Students who bully others may face:
Behavior or disciplinary issues
Difficulty building healthy relationships
Higher risk of future violence or legal trouble
🦸♀️ How Omegaman School Assemblies Help
Our Bully Prevention School Assemblies combine superhero action with evidence-based lessons that inspire kids to do the right thing.
During each presentation, students learn to:
Identify different forms of bullying
Practice empathy and respect
Use their “inner superpowers” to stand up for themselves and others
Our assemblies align with PBIS frameworks and SEL initiatives and are customized for elementary, middle, and high school students.
👉 Explore Our Bully Prevention Assembly Programs
💡 What Schools Can Do Right Now
Educate early. Introduce empathy and kindness lessons in grades K–5.
Encourage reporting. Make it safe and easy for students to speak up.
Model positive behavior. Teachers and staff set the tone for respect.
Host school assemblies. Reinforce character values through fun, interactive school assembly programs.
Stay connected with families. Send resources home so parents can continue the conversation.
📈 Key Bullying Statistics (2022 – 2023)
19.2 % of students ages 12–18 reported being bullied at school.
15.4 % said a power imbalance was involved.
12.7 % experienced both repetition and power imbalance.(Sources: NCES & BJS, 2022 – see citations below)
These numbers underscore why proactive education and school-wide initiatives like PBIS and SEL are critical.
🎓 Why Education-Based Assemblies Work
Assemblies create a shared experience that textbooks can’t. When students laugh, cheer, and connect emotionally, the lesson sticks.
That’s why our team focuses on the heart and mind: we engage students first, then teach values like kindness and respect that build positive school culture.
Check out our Kindness Assembly Ideas and Character Development Assemblies for more program options.
🧭 Resources for Educators and Parents
These trusted sources provide data and guides that align with Omegaman’s mission to empower students to make positive choices.
💬 Final Thoughts
Bullying doesn’t have to define a child’s story. With the right education, role models, and community support, every student can be a hero.
Omegaman & Friends has performed for millions of students since 2008, teaching core values like respect, resilience, and responsibility through unforgettable school assemblies.
👉 Book an Assembly Today and start building a culture of kindness at your school.
✏️ Author & Credibility Block (EEAT)
About the Author: Omegaman & Friends is a national school assembly program focused on character development, bully prevention, and PBIS/SEL education. Since 2008, Omegaman has performed in front of millions of students nationwide.
Reviewed by: Educational Content Team — Updated March 2025
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