By Kinota Braithwaite, Author and Youth Speaker
Understanding whether a situation is bullying or a simple conflict can be difficult for educators.

Here are some examples of conflicts
Sharing Supplies: Two students want to use the same set of colored pencils for their art project.
Playground Disagreement: Two friends argue about which game to play during recess.
Seating Arrangement: Students have differing preferences for where they want to sit during class.
Line Cutting: A student accuses another student of cutting in line during lunchtime.
Choice of Game: Some students want to play tag, while others want to play hide-and-seek during PE.
Sharing Playground Equipment: Students argue over who gets to use the swing or the basketball first.
Here are some examples of bullying
Name-Calling: A student repeatedly calls another student mean names and makes hurtful comments about their appearance.
Exclusion: A group of students deliberately ignores one student, leaving them out of games and activities.
Intimidation: A student uses threatening gestures or facial expressions to scare another student.
Physical Aggression: A student pushes, shoves, or hits another student without any provocation.
Spreading Rumors: A student starts false rumors about another student, aiming to damage their reputation.
Mockery: A student imitates another student's actions, speech, or mannerisms in a way that's intended to ridicule them.
Cyberbullying: A student sends hurtful messages or posts negative comments about another student on social media or online platforms.
Taking Possessions: A student steals another student's belongings and refuses to return them, causing distress.
Verbal Threats: A student repeatedly threatens to harm another student physically or emotionally.
Forced Isolation: A student pressures their classmates not to talk to or befriend a specific student.
To make things easier, I created a simple chart using a simple acronym so you can differentiate between bullying and other conflicts.
The acronym is "SAFE" and it stands for:
S - See it Repeatedly
A - Asserts Power
F - Feels Harmful
E - Excludes and Isolates
Acronym | Description | Examples |
S | See it Repeatedly | - Teasing the same student every day. - Repeatedly leaving someone out of activities. |
A | Asserts Power | - A student using their popularity to control others. - Older students targeting younger ones. |
F | Feels Harmful | - Name-calling that causes emotional pain. - Spreading rumors to damage a student's reputation. |
E | Excludes and Isolates | - Forming groups that purposely leave one student out. - Ignoring a student's presence consistently |
This simple acronym can serve as a quick reference guide for educators to determine whether a situation involves bullying or other types of conflicts. Remember, addressing harmful behavior promptly and appropriately is essential for maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Let's Start a Dialogue:
Principals, I extend a heartfelt invitation to engage in open conversations. Together, let's address concerns, exchange ideas, and craft experiences that transcend. Let's embark on a journey to enrich minds and create a lasting positive impact on the lives of students.
Warm regards,
Kinota Braithwaite
A Vision for a World Free of Racism and Bullying
You're welcome to connect with me at www.learnwithkinota.com
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