Bullying & Cyberbullying
What is Bullying?
Bullying is a widespread and serious problem that can happen anywhere. It is not a phase children have to go through; it is not “just messing around”. Bullying can cause serious and lasting harm. During the 82nd Legislature, Texas lawmakers passed HB 1942, which addresses and defines bullying in public schools.
Bullying occurs when a student or group of students engages in written or verbal expression, expression through electronic methods, or physical conduct against another student on school property, at a school-sponsored or -related activity, or in a district operated vehicle, and the behavior:
- Results in harm to the student or the student’s property
- Places a student in reasonable fear of physical harm or of damage to the student’s property, or
- Is so severe, persistent, and pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive educational environment.
This conduct is considered bullying if it exploits an imbalance of power between the student perpetrator(s) and the student victim and if it interferes with a student’s education or substantially disrupts the operation of the school.