This document discusses social bullying through rumors and gossip. It defines rumors as unverified information and gossip as revealing private or sensational details about others. Rumors and gossip often start innocently but can spread quickly from person to person, changing and becoming exaggerated in the retelling. While sometimes true, rumors and gossip are just as likely to be partially true or completely made up. Spreading rumors and gossip can hurt people, damage trust, and is a form of social exclusion. The document provides tips for stopping the spread of rumors, including not participating, getting facts before judging, and talking to a trusted adult.

2. SOCIAL BULLYING
(the most common type of bullying)
RUMORS AND GOSSIP

3. Why are Gossip and Rumors
like Glitter?

4. Responses
It’s fun and sparkly but can be a big mess.
It sticks to you and you can’t get it all off
even if try.
It easily travels with you even where you
didn’t intend.
It can put the spotlight on someone who
doesn’t want the attention.

5. RUMOR
A rumor is a piece of information or a
story that has not been verified,
meaning that the person telling it
doesn’t know if it’s true or false.

6. GOSSIP
Gossip occurs when a person
reveals unkind personal and/or
sensational information about
others that are private and people
don’t want others to know.

7. Gossip Girl

8. REAL OR MADEUP
Rumors and Gossip might be true,
they might be partially true, or
totally made up. Unless someone
can definitely say the story is true
- it will stay a rumor or gossip
story!

9. HOW DO RUMORS AND
GOSSIP SPREAD
From person to person, or can
spread from one person to a
bunch of people at once. This is
usually done behind the person’s
back. Social media is a big
source of rumor and gossip

10. RUMORS AND GOSSIP CAN
CHANGE
They can change slightly each
time they’re told, so they get even
more distorted or exaggerated
over time

11. WHY DO PEOPLE GOSSIP AND
SPREAD RUMORS?
To feel superior
To feel like part of a group
For attention
For control or power
Out of jealously/revenge
Out of boredom
THIS IS SOCIAL BULLYING

12. Why It Hurts, Why It’s Wrong
WORDS HURT as much or more than
a punch! (Verbal, Written, Social Media)
Gossip and rumors are a form of
exclusion - leaving someone out!
GOSSIP AND RUMORS DESTROY TRUST!
True or not, private is private!

13. BREAKING THE CHAIN
Decide whether the rumor or gossip is
hurtful or harmless by asking yourself
the following questions.

14. RUMOR/GOSSIP BLOCKS
• Make the rumor or gossip stop with you
• Don’t be part of the audience
• Be a peacemaker - speak up - label it a
rumor!
• Respect other’s privacy
• Get the facts
• Talk to a trusted adult

15. THINK ABOUT THIS

16. What can we do here at Harper
Park to stop rumors and gossip?

17. Remember
When is comes to Rumors and Gossip
Keep the glitter jars CLOSED!

18. Thank You And
JAI HIND
.