Playful Teasing

vs.
Bullying
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TEASING –
Intended to provoke or make
fun of someone in a playful
way
• Teasing when actually done right
can actually be positive – it helps
children learn to deal with
constructive criticism.
• Endearment and Influence teasing.
 4

True

False
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When people are hurt by your

teasing, they are obviously
being too sensitive.
False
• It is not convenient
that every time you
stung someone with a
tease that it’s always
their fault.
 7

It is normal to tease your best

friend about anything

False
• It is NEVER ok to
tease people about
personal topic they are
sensitive about.
 9

Teasing is always unhealthy

False
• Your intention counts,
if your teasing is
intended to make
someone feel left out,
then it is unhealthy
 11

Most teasing is harmless and

just a way of communicating
True
• Most of the time teasing is
harmless – but when it’s
intentionally hurtful or
negative it can lead to
bullying
• Know when it’s okay to tease
 13

In a respectful relationship,
people don’t tease each other.
False
• It is common for siblings,
close friends or teammates
to tease other as a way
to poke fun of them in a
light hearted or funny
way.
 15

Negative teasing can lead to

bullying
True
• If the goal is to embarrass the
person and make the other look
better it is negative teasing –
when done repeatedly with the
intent of being hurtful or
threating way, it becomes
bullying.
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Playful Teasing or
Bullying?
 18

Playful Teasing
• Equal Power;
friends Bullying
• Neutral topic • Imbalance of power;
• Playful purpose not friends
• Purpose to include • Sensitive topic
• Purpose to upset,
• funny
humiliate
• Purpose to exclude
• sarcastic
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Playful Teasing
• Accompanied by friendly tone of voice
and laughter
 20

Playful Teasing
• Starts with respect and trust
 21

Playful Teasing
• Does not lead to physical confrontation
 22

Playful Teasing
• Done with someone you know pretty
well
 23

bullying

• May be accompanied by angry tone of voice

😒
 24

bullying

• May be accompanied by angry body language,

such as clenched fists
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bullying

• Continues even when the person being teased

shows distress
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bullying

• Continues even when the person teasing knows

the topic is upsetting others
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THINK
FIRST!
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Consider the following before engaging in what
seems like playful teasing:
1. THE PERSONALITY AND
EXPERIENCES OF THE OTHER
PERSON
2. RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN YOU
AND THE OTHER PERSON
3. THE TOPIC OF THE TEASING
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If you can’t be
kind, be quiet..
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THANKS!