Rumors/Gossip
When It's About You
Unfortunately, middle school can often get a reputation as years full of rumors, gossip, and drama. However, you can do your part to minimize this happening and changing that reputation.
Let's start with the bad news: You cannot control what someone else is going to say or do. You just can't. And you may find yourself having to deal with the consequences of someone else saying or doing something negative to you or someone else that might be hurtful or not true.
Here's the good news: While you can't control what others say or do, you can control how you respond and what happens next.
It can often be difficult to speak up in the midst of these situations, and it can really hurt when you feel like nobody is standing up for you.
Read the following from TeensLink for some info about what to do if someone is spreading rumors about you:
kidshealth.org/en/teens/rumors.html
Let's start with the bad news: You cannot control what someone else is going to say or do. You just can't. And you may find yourself having to deal with the consequences of someone else saying or doing something negative to you or someone else that might be hurtful or not true.
Here's the good news: While you can't control what others say or do, you can control how you respond and what happens next.
It can often be difficult to speak up in the midst of these situations, and it can really hurt when you feel like nobody is standing up for you.
Read the following from TeensLink for some info about what to do if someone is spreading rumors about you:
kidshealth.org/en/teens/rumors.html
When It's About Someone Else
One of the most powerful things you can do is refusing to participate in rumors or gossip when others are talking about someone else. Try taking a stand or just removing yourself from the conversation if it turns negative. It's easy to get sucked into the negativity of wanting to fit in and ganging up on someone else. However, healthy friendships are not made at the expense of someone else's feelings.
While people are often afraid to take a stand because they don't want to be the next target or don't want to be excluded, you have more power than you think. There's also a good chance others may feel uncomfortable too and are just waiting for someone to make the first move to stop the rumors and gossip. Sometimes it just takes one person willing to take a stand.
Also, when rumors and gossip are started, people tend not to know the entire story and are often making life much harder for someone who may already be dealing with quite a bit. We can never see the entire picture and know what someone else is going through. Don't contribute to making life harder for someone who may already be dealing with a lot. The person being talked about will certainly appreciate you having his/her back if you do anything to stop or minimize the rumors.
Here is some more info from TeensLink about how to be a good friend and give help:
kidshealth.org/en/teens/helping.html?WT.ac=t-ra#
While people are often afraid to take a stand because they don't want to be the next target or don't want to be excluded, you have more power than you think. There's also a good chance others may feel uncomfortable too and are just waiting for someone to make the first move to stop the rumors and gossip. Sometimes it just takes one person willing to take a stand.
Also, when rumors and gossip are started, people tend not to know the entire story and are often making life much harder for someone who may already be dealing with quite a bit. We can never see the entire picture and know what someone else is going through. Don't contribute to making life harder for someone who may already be dealing with a lot. The person being talked about will certainly appreciate you having his/her back if you do anything to stop or minimize the rumors.
Here is some more info from TeensLink about how to be a good friend and give help:
kidshealth.org/en/teens/helping.html?WT.ac=t-ra#
If It Doesn't Stop
If you or someone else is dealing with a rumor that just won't stop or is really starting to affect life negatively, please get help. Tell me or another trusted adult so we can ensure the right people are supported and work together to come up with a plan.