Program Length: 1 hour
Produced: 2002

Hosted by Jennifer Hollett and George Stroumboulopoulos

This special MuchMusic program examines issues surrounding bullying, specifically bullying experienced by adolescents, and often in a school environment.  Using interviews with former bullies, victims, experts and activists, the program examines many ideas and misconceptions.  It also provides opportunities for students to think about and respond to their own experiences with bullying, either as victims, bullies, or bystanders.  Finally, the program suggests ways that people of all ages can contribute to the reduction of bullying.

1. Forms of Bullying

Think about what meaning you give to the word 'bullying.'  Consider whether bullying might mean the same thing to children as it does to adults, to adolescents as it does to adults, to males as it does to females, to people of colour as it does to whites, to powerful countries as it does to weak countries.  Share your ideas about the meanings of bullying with someone else.

Terezia Zoric, Equity Educator, describes three kinds of bullying.  The first, 'name-calling,' is one that she says everyone has experienced.  The second, 'harassment,' is one that she says many people have experienced.  While she suggests that many fewer people may have experienced the third one, 'physical assault,' first-hand, she suggests that almost everyone has been touched by its effects.

How closely do Ms. Zoric's definitions match your definitions?  How does name-calling qualify as bullying?  How is name-calling different than harassment?  Is harassment worse?  How does harassment qualify as bullying?  Is assault worse than harassment?  Why?

How common are these forms of bullying?  Do you agree that name-calling has happened to everyone and harassment to most people?  Why might people call others names or harass them?  Why do you think these forms of bullying are so common?

Later, Ms. Zoric is asked if weak language skills, specifically those of students new to Canada, might contribute to their being bullied.  She suggests that, not only is that true, but that cutting funding for ESL classes amounts to the government bullying vulnerable students who cannot, or are too timid to, voice their objections.  Is it possible for governments to be bullies through their changes in legislation and funding?  Might governments be modelling bullying behaviors to others?  How might people combat government bullying?

2.  Roots of Bullying

Dr. Jordan Peterson, of the University of Toronto Psychology Department, explains that aggressive behavior is natural and that it peaks at 2 years of age.  He suggests that bullies are naturally-aggressive kids whose aggression was never controlled.

How well does Dr. Peterson's explanation match your own experiences with aggression and bullying?

3. Media Influences

Roger Thompson, of Youth Assisting Youth, suggests that one cause of bullying is that youth are exposed to more violence in the media. 

How might media violence encourage bullying behaviours? 

How might media messages discourage bullying behaviours?  The Bully Factor is also from the media.  What influence do you think this MuchMusic program will have on bullies and their victims?  Why?

4. Female Bullying

Jennifer Hollett introduces female bullying by explaining that it is very different than the stereotypes of bullying that people expect.  We see graffiti on a washroom wall.  Why do you think part of the graffiti is blurred?  Did you think that graffiti was an aspect of bullying?  How might washroom graffiti be used for bullying?  Do you think this form of bullying is more common to females or males?  Why?

What do you learn about bullying from Kate Martin, former bully?

What do you learn about female bullying from Dr. Glenn diPasquale?(Female bullying is more subtle.)

What do you learn about female bullying from Dr. Sybylle Artz?
(Females often use bullying to get attention from males.)

How might Feminism encourage bullying? (Because females might take a strong attitude too far.)

5. Consequences of Bullying

Some people are bullies because they find it entertaining.  It is even suggested that it has become trendy to beat someone up.

The story of Dawn Marie Wesley, however, shows that the consequences for the victims of bullying are extreme.  Dawn Marie's mother states, "I didn't know any of the bullying until after her death." And, "I miss her. The real victims are the ones left behind to carry on."

Why don't bully victims tell their parents or other adults?

How are 'the real victims the ones left behind?'

6. Celebrity Victims

Throughout the program, we see interviews with several musical artists about their bullying experiences.  Were you surprised to learn that so many people had been bullied?  Which artists did you think gave good advice?  Which ones gave advice that is not useful to the victims of bullying?  Why?

The hosts suggest that, "It's definitely comforting to know that there are rock stars that say, 'I've been bullied, and look at me now.'"

Do you think adolescent victims would find these statements definitely comforting?  Why?

7. Greatest Misconception

Angeline Bailey asks, "What is the greatest misconception about bullying?"

What is Dr. Peterson's answer?
(Bullies have dangerously high self-esteem.  They believe they are entitled to bully because no one has ever stopped them.)

Did you know this, or was it also your misconception?

What solutions to bullying are suggested by this new information?

8. Getting Help

Several bullying experts explain that feelings of loneliness are one of the results of bullying, and may even contribute to suicide.  They remind victims to seek help, and that help exists.  Specifically, there are websites and phone numbers where victims can get help.

Investigate the following websites to discover what help is available to victims.  How do the websites help victims feel less lonely?  Which website do you think offers the most support to victims?  Why?

http://kidshelp.sympatico.ca/en/

http://www.youcan.ca/

http://www.bullying.org/

http://www.leaveoutviolence.com/

http://www.missioncity.ca/pave/

http://www.bullybeware.com/

9. "Should bullies be punished or educated?"

This question has many answers.  Discuss whether or not the response to bullying has to be an either/or choice between punishing them or educating them.  If victims are educated, what education do they need?  If bullies are educated, what education do they need?  When should education begin?  Who should deliver the education?

10. The Problem and the Solution

This MuchMusic program suggests that bullying is everyone's problem and that everyone can be part of the solution.  Summarize the ideas that explain how bullying is everyone's problem.  Explain how everyone can be part of the solution.  Begin your explanations by focusing on individuals, then schools, then communities, then governments.

Written by: Neil Andersen

Neil Andersen is a Curriculum Consultant with the Toronto District School Board. He is also a speaker and consultant in media and communications technology. His most recent work includes the Media Launchpad website, the teachers' study guide for the award-winning Scanning Television, and study guides for Space, Bravo! and MuchMusic's Cable in the Classroom broadcasts of original media literacy programming.

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