LSCBLocal Safeguarding Children Board Northamptonshire

Bullying and cyber-bullying

Bullying and cyber-bullying involves an abuse of power where it is difficult for those being bullied to defend themselves.

The Department for Education defines bullying as: “Behaviour by an individual or group, usually repeated over time, that intentionally hurts another individual or group either physically or emotionally.”

It can be inflicted on a child by another child or by an adult. It is often motivated by prejudice against particular groups, for example on the grounds of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or because a child is adopted or has caring responsibilities.

It can take many forms, but the four main types are:

  • Physical – for example, hitting, kicking, shoving, theft;
  • Verbal – for example, threats, name calling, racist or homophobic remarks;
  • Emotional – for example, isolating an individual from activities/games and the social acceptance of their peer group; and
  • Cyber-bullying – the misuse of new technology to bully others, for example bullying via text messages or the internet.

Link to Bullying chapter of the Procedures Manual

Link to E-Safety: Children Exposed to Abuse through the Digital Media chapter of the Procedures Manual

Link to NSCP E-Safety resources as part of the Procedures Manual

Link to Bullying and cyberbullying research resources on the NSPCC website

Last updated: 12 July 2023

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