What differentiates harmless teasing from harmful bullying?

The distinguishing factor between harmless teasing and harmful bullying primarily lies in the contrasting characteristics of intent and impact. Harmless teasing typically involves light-hearted interactions where the intent is generally playful and not meant to hurt, while the impact on the individual is minor or negligible. In contrast, harmful bullying is characterized by a deliberate intent to intimidate or harm someone, leading to significant negative consequences for the victim.

Bullied individuals often feel powerless and targeted over a sustained period, which can have serious emotional and psychological effects. This differentiation highlights that the motivations behind the behavior, as well as its consequences, are key to understanding whether the interaction is playful or damaging.

Other factors like frequency, individual reactions, and context can play a role in understanding interactions, but they do not fundamentally capture the essence of intent and impact, which is central to distinguishing harmless teasing from harmful bullying.