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Is it Mean... or Is it Bullying?

Is it Mean or Bullying? Let’s Find Out Together!

Sometimes it’s hard to know the difference between someone just being unkind and behaviour that crossed the line into bullying. That’s why we’ve created this interactive quiz for you and your child to explore together.

How It Works:

There are 14 real-life scenarios in this quiz. For each one, work as a team to decide: Is this mean behaviour or bullying?

Use the three clues to guide your thinking:

  • Intentional: is someone trying to hurt or embarrass someone else?
  • Ongoing: is it happening over and over again?
  • Power imbalance: is one person using their power (such as their age, role, or popularity) to target another?

 

Stand Up for Respect Bullying Prevention Parent Webinar

Once you have made your decision, use the below discussion prompts to talk about each situation more deeply:

Mean or Bully? Let’s Figure It Out!

James and Jacob both want to be the line leader. They begin arguing about whose turn it is and end up pushing each other to get to the front.


Every day, the same group of kids call Phoebe mean names during lunch.


A student hides your friend’s hat every day and laughs when they get upset and miss out on play time


You and your sibling are fighting over which TV show to watch.


The biggest child in class keeps pushing a smaller student in line, even after being told to stop.


Thomas and Sally both think they are not out during a game of handball and Thomas throws the ball on the roof.


A classmate makes fun of your clothes all the time and tells others to laugh too.


A classmate says something that hurts your feelings but sees you’re upset and apologises right away.


Kayla stares at Stacey and looks her up and down and scoffs quietly every morning when Stacey sits down in class. The teacher never seems to notice.


A classmate refuses to work with you, even when the teacher has paired you together.


Behind your back, a teammate tells others in the team not to pass the ball to you during the game. They are the best player in the team, and you are new to the game. This happens most weeks.


A teammate laughs when you miss the shot in basketball.


Two classmates want to play different games at lunch. James wants to play soccer, but Katie insists on handball. When James says no, Katie rolls her eyes and says, “Well, nobody wants to play your dumb game anyway.” Then she tells the others not to play with James.


Davey keeps telling other students not to play with Kira at recess. Kira has no one to play with at break most days.











💬 Why This Matters!

Understanding the difference between mean and bullying behaviour helps children develop empathy, problem-solving skills and confidence in how to respond. This quiz is a great way to open up a conversation – and build a shared understanding of respect and kindness.

Parent Conversation Strategy Videos

Life Ed Queensland parent facilitator and classroom educator Narelle Watkins, with Program Delivery Manager Sue Osmond, share conversation strategies for parents to have with their children on managing a variety of bullying situations.

We have prepared these videos to share with your community, to enable conversations and support parents with ideas for how to approach these topics with their young people.

Untitled Design (10)

Stand Up for Respect: A Parent's Guide

Download your copy

Stand Up for Respect: Conversation Cards

Scenarios with suggested strategies

Stand Up for Respect: Scenario Cards

What would you do and say?