Mobbing facts for kids

Mobbing is a special kind of bullying that happens when a group of people, or even just one person, picks on someone. It's not just one person being mean; it's a group action where there's a big difference in power. This power can be social, physical, or other types.

Mobbing can spread quickly, like a rumor. It often uses gossip, whispers, and hints to make others turn against someone. Usually, there's a leader who encourages the group to act like a "mob" and repeatedly target a specific person.

What is Mobbing?

Mobbing is a serious type of group bullying. It involves a group of people ganging up on one person. This often happens over a long time. The goal is usually to make the person feel alone and pushed out.

Signs of Mobbing Behavior

It can be hard to tell if someone is being mobbed. Here are some signs that might show mobbing is happening:

• Unbalanced power: The group holds all the social power, leaving the targeted person feeling outnumbered and isolated.
• Repeated actions: The negative behavior is not a one-time accident; it happens continuously over weeks or months.
• Group participation: Several people participate directly, while others may watch and say nothing, which allows the behavior to continue.
• Social isolation: The main goal of the group is often to push the target out of the social group, classroom, or workplace.

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Mobbing at School

In school environments, mobbing can disrupt learning and harm friendships. It often involves:

• Starting rumors or spreading false stories in hallways or group chats.
• Intentionally leaving someone out of lunch tables, study groups, or recess games.
• Rolling eyes, whispering, or making fun of a student whenever they speak in class.
• Victim blaming, where the group tries to make the targeted student feel like the mistreatment is their own fault.

Mobbing on Social Media and the Internet

Digital technology and smartphones have introduced online mobbing, often called cyber-mobbing or cyberbullying. Because people can post behind screens or anonymous usernames, online attacks can spread very fast.

Digital mobbing often involves:

• Flooding someone's social media page with mean comments or downvotes.
• Creating private group chats dedicated to making fun of an individual.
• Sharing embarrassing photos or altered images without permission.
• Coordinated "tagging" campaigns to overwhelm someone's notifications.

History and Scientific Development of the Concept

The study of mobbing began with observations in nature and later expanded to human psychology and sociology.

Animal Origins of the Term

In 1966, Austrian scientist Konrad Lorenz used the word "mobbing" in his book On Aggression. Lorenz studied animal behavior (a field called ethology). He noticed that smaller animals, such as songbirds, often band together to chase away a larger predator like an owl or a hawk. In the animal kingdom, this behavior serves as a survival tactic to protect nests and young chicks.

Applying the Idea to Human Behavior

During the 1970s, Swedish doctor Peter-Paul Heinemann used Lorenz's ideas to describe how groups of children sometimes gang up on a single classmate. He realized that human group aggression looked very similar to what scientists saw in nature.

In the 1980s, a psychologist named Heinz Leymann took the research further. He studied adults in workplaces and discovered that grown-ups could also form groups to mistreat a colleague. Leymann helped define workplace mobbing and developed tools to measure its psychological impact on people.

Modern Research by Sociologists

In the 2010s, anthropologist Janice Harper explored why everyday people join mobbing behaviors. She suggested that group aggression can happen when people feel anxious or fear being excluded themselves. When an influential leader signals that someone does not belong, others may follow along simply to fit in with the crowd. This research showed that preventing mobbing requires building strong, supportive group cultures rather than just blaming single individuals.

Advice for Anyone Facing Mobbing

If you or someone you know is experiencing mobbing, experts recommend several helpful steps:

• Do not blame yourself: Mobbing is about the behavior of the group, not a personal flaw of the target.
• Keep records: Save screenshots of mean online messages, and write down dates, times, and details of incidents.
• Talk to a trusted adult: Share what is happening with parents, guardians, teachers, or counselors who can step in to help.
• Stay connected with supportive friends: Spend time with family members, hobby clubs, or sports teams where you feel valued and respected.

See also

In Spanish: Acoso laboral para niños