Lesson 4: Bystander Power

Why This Lesson Matters

One reason students bully is for the effect it has on bystanders. Students can gain social status through bullying by looking tough or cool, making others laugh, or showing that they have power. Because of the power differential in bullying, students have a limited ability to make it stop. Because bullying often pays off in social or other ways, it can be hard to change the behavior of students who bully. But research shows that changing how bystanders react is a powerful way to reduce bullying. In this lesson’s Skill Practice section, students learn ways bystanders can help stop bullying.

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• Define “bystander”

• Demonstrate ways that bystanders can help stop bullying in response to scenarios

Lesson Concepts

• Bystanders are people who see or know about bullying happening to others.

• There are things bystanders can do to help stop bullying.