Conflict vs. bullying - What’s the difference?

Conflict

• Is a struggle between two or more people who perceive they have incompatible goals or desires.
• Occurs naturally as we interact with one another. It is a normal part of life that we will not always agree with other people about the things we want, what we think, or what we want to do.
• There is equal power between those involved.

Bullying

• Is behavior with the intent to hurt, harm, or humiliate. 
• Is unfair, one-sided, and there is an imbalance of power*. 
• Happens when someone keeps hurting, frightening, threatening, or leaving someone out on purpose.
• Can be repeated or threatened to be repeated.

*Power can mean the person that is bullying is older, bigger, stronger.

Other definitions:

• Bully - The person doing the bullying.
• Target - The person being bullied.
• Bystanders are those who watch bullying happen.
• Upstanders are those that take a stand against an act of injustice or bullying. They are part of the solution and help stop bullying by reporting bullying to an adult. 
• Telling/Reporting - The intentional act of keeping everyone safe and helping someone who is struggling or being hurt.
• Tattling/Snitching - The intentional act of trying to get someone in trouble or make yourself look good.

Cyberbullying

• Is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. 
• It can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. 
• Includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. 
• It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. 
• Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.