Rude vs Mean vs Bullying

There is a distinction between the above behaviours:

• Rude
  Inadvertently saying or doing something that hurts someone else. They might have elements of bullying but rudeness is generally based on thoughtlessness, rude manners or narcissism, but not actually meant to hurt someone.
• Mean
  Purposefully saying or doing something to hurt someone once or maybe twice.
  The main distinction between rude and mean behaviour has to do with intention.
  Kids are often mean by criticising clothing, appearance, intelligence, coolness.
  Meanness also sounds like words spoken in anger, motivated by impulsion – angry feelings or propping yourself up.
  Children should be held accountable but it is different to bullying when it comes to intervention.
• Bullying
  Intentionally aggressive behaviour repeated over time, that involves an imbalance of power.
  Bullying has 3 key elements:
  1. An intent to harm
  2. A power imbalance
  3. Repeated acts or threats of aggressive behaviour

  Bullying may be physical, verbal, relational or carried out via technology.