Understanding Gossip and Rumors

What is gossip?

• Checked facts about someone

• Casual talk about people, often not confirmed

• An official report about someone's actions

• A legal paper

What is a trait of rumors?

• They are always true

• They are often exaggerated or distorted

• They are always positive

• They are always negative

Why can gossip and rumors be bad?

• They always tell the truth

• They can hurt reputations and cause confusion

• They make relationships better

• They are always funny

How can you stop gossip at school?

• Tell everyone what you hear

• Check facts before telling others

• Ignore everything you hear

• Spread rumors to everyone

What is a main difference between gossip and rumors?

• Gossip is always true, rumors are not

• Gossip is casual talk, rumors are unverified info

• Rumors are always positive, gossip is negative

• Gossip is written, rumors are spoken

How can students tell the difference between facts and unsupported information?

• By assuming everything is true

• By questioning the source and looking for proof

• By ignoring all information

• By sharing it to see if others agree

Plan a school campaign to stop gossip. What is the first step?

• Find common sources of gossip

• Ignore the problem

• Encourage more gossip

• Punish everyone involved

What effect does gossip have on a student's mental health? What could happen?

• Higher self-esteem

• More stress and anxiety

• Better grades

• Better social skills

How do you handle a rumor in your class? What is important?

• Ignore the rumor

• Talk to the source and explain the truth

• Spread the rumor more

• Make fun of the rumor

What is an example of gossip?

• Talking about a student's grades with their permission

• Sharing unconfirmed news about a student's family

• Reporting a fact from a school newsletter

• Announcing a school event