Anti-Bullying Program Reduces Malicious Gossip on School Playgrounds

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/01/110103121024.htm

ScienceDaily (Jan. 5, 2011) — Elementary school students who participated in a three-month anti-bullying program in Seattle schools showed a 72 percent decrease in malicious gossip.

The study, led by the University of Washington, is the first to show that the widely-used Steps to Respect bullying prevention program can curb children's gossip, an element of playground culture often seen as harmless but capable of causing real harm.

"Gossip is an element of bullying, and it can lead to physical bullying," said Karin Frey, a UW research associate professor of educational psychology. "Kids will tell you that gossip is just as painful as physical bullying."

----- (skipping)

..