Bullying

Cyberbullying is unwanted and repeated aggressive behavior involving the use of power that’s intended to hurt or control another person that takes place through electronic technology.

Examples of electronic technology are devices such as cell phones and computers and communication tools such as social media and instant messaging applications.

In other words, it is being mean to another individual over and over again by using social media, phones and computers. It means spreading rumors, pictures or videos on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or sending mean texts or emails to another person. 

Psychological bullying is behavior intended to cause emotional harm, fear, humiliation, or distress to another person. Unlike physical bullying, psychological bullying relies on words, actions, manipulation, intimidation, or social exclusion to negatively affect a person's mental and emotional well-being.

Examples of Psychological Bullying

• Gaslighting
• Threats or intimidation
• Spreading false rumors
• Isolating someone from social groups
• Repeated verbal insults or humiliation
• Manipulating or controlling another person through fear or embarrassment

Is Psychological Bullying a Crime?

Although Arizona does not have a specific crime called "psychological bullying," several laws may apply when bullying behavior crosses legal boundaries.

Harassment (A.R.S. § 13-2921): A person may commit harassment if they repeatedly contact, communicate with, or follow another person in a manner intended to harass, annoy, or alarm them. This can include repeated unwanted messages, threats, or other conduct that causes substantial emotional distress.

Threatening or Intimidating (A.R.S. § 13-1202): It is illegal to threaten physical injury, serious property damage, or actions intended to terrorize another person. Even if no physical violence occurs, threats designed to create fear violate Arizona law.

Resources

The effects of psychological bullying may include anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, emotional distress, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawal from social activities.

Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741 if you need free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support.

Physical bullying is a form of bullying that involves using physical force or aggressive actions to hurt, frighten, control, or humiliate another person. It may also involve damaging or taking another person’s belongings. Physical bullying can cause bodily injuries, emotional distress, and fear of attending school or participating in activities.

Examples of physical bullying:

• Hitting, punching, kicking, or slapping someone
• Pushing, shoving, or tripping someone
• Spitting on someone
• Pinching, scratching, or pulling someone’s hair
• Blocking someone’s path or physically restraining them
• Taking, hiding, or destroying someone’s belongings
• Throwing objects at someone
• Using physical force to take money, food, or other property

Is physical bullying a crime?

Arizona does not have a specific criminal offense called “physical bullying.” However, physical bullying may violate several Arizona laws depending on the conduct, the injuries caused, the ages of the people involved, and whether a weapon was used.

Assault (A.R.S. § 13-1203): A person may not commit assault by intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly causing physical injury to another person. Assault may also include intentionally making someone reasonably fear immediate physical injury or knowingly touching someone with the intent to injure, insult, or provoke them. Hitting, kicking, shoving, or spitting on another person may qualify as assault.

Aggravated Assault (A.R.S. § 13-1204): An assault may become aggravated assault when it causes serious or substantial physical injury, involves a deadly weapon or dangerous instrument, occurs while the victim is physically restrained, or meets certain other circumstances listed in Arizona law. An adult who assaults a child under fifteen may also face aggravated assault charges.

Threatening or Intimidating (A.R.S. § 13-1202): Threatening to physically injure someone or seriously damage their property may violate Arizona law. A person does not have to carry out the threat for the conduct to potentially qualify as threatening or intimidating.

Disorderly Conduct (A.R.S. § 13-2904): Fighting, violent behavior, or seriously disruptive conduct intended to disturb another person’s peace may qualify as disorderly conduct.

Criminal Damage (A.R.S. § 13-1602): Recklessly damaging, defacing, or tampering with another person’s property may qualify as criminal damage. This could include intentionally breaking a student’s phone, damaging their backpack, or destroying other personal belongings as part of bullying.

Physical bullying in Arizona schools:

Arizona law requires school districts to create and enforce policies that prohibit students from harassing, intimidating, or bullying other students (A.R.S. § 15-341). These policies must include confidential reporting procedures, investigation requirements, disciplinary procedures, and protections for students who are physically harmed. When appropriate, schools must also have procedures for contacting emergency medical services or law enforcement.

Resources:

Students experiencing physical bullying should report it to a trusted adult, teacher, school counselor, principal, or parent. If someone is in immediate danger or has been seriously injured, call 911.

Teens who need free and confidential support can contact Teen Lifeline 24/7 by calling or texting (602) 248-TEEN (8336). Calls are also accepted at (800) 248-TEEN.

Crisis Text Line: Text CONNECT to 741741 for free, confidential, 24/7 mental health support.

Verbal forms of bullying occur when someone is repeatedly saying or writing mean things intended to hurt, embarrass, humiliate, or threaten another person. This type of bullying is emotionally abusive. 

Examples Of Verbal Bullying  

• Name-Calling & insulting someone to humiliate them or make them feel bad  
• Teasing such as making fun of a person’s appearance, abilities, religion, gender, or socioeconomic status
• Putdowns and sarcasm intended to bring self-esteem or confidence down such as making them feel unnecessarily guilty or ashamed
• Communication using phones or social media to terrify, threaten, or repeatedly harass someone. (A.R.S. § 13-2916) 
   

Is Verbal Bullying a Crime?

Arizona does not have a specific criminal offense called "verbal bullying." However, certain actions associated with verbal bullying may violate state laws depending on the circumstances and severity of the conduct.

• Threats and Intimidation are using words or conduct to threaten physical injury to another person or serious damage to their property.  (A.R.S. § 13-1202)
• Harassment is knowingly and repeatedly engaging in acts or communications that alarm, annoy, or humiliate a person with no legitimate purpose. (A.R.S. § 13-2921)
• Disorderly Conduct is using abusive or offensive language in public in a manner likely to provoke immediate physical retaliation.  
  (A.R.S. § 13-2904)

Verbal bullying may also be violating other state and education laws  (A.R.S. § 15-341) which are aimed at prohibiting students from “harassing, intimidating, and bullying” other students on school grounds, on school property, on school buses, at school bus stops, at school-sponsored events and activities. 

Resources

Teens who need to talk about their problems with a teen who understand what they are going through can call Teen Lifeline 24/7 at (602) 248-TEEN (8336) or (800) 248-TEEN for free and confidential help.

Other resources could be trusted by adults: teacher, parent, legal guardian, neighbor, coach, counselor, SRO, etc.

• Stop Bullying (https://www.stopbullying.gov/bullying/what-is-bullying)  
• McMillen Health (https://www.mcmillenhealth.org/tamtalks/verbal-bullying)
• CDC Youth Violence Prevention (https://www.cdc.gov/youth-violence/about/about-bullying.html)