What is Gossip?

When we gossip, we talk about people who are not there.

Often, gossip tells negative stories about other people.

Gossip is also called "talking behind someone's back."

People feel important when they know something other people don't.

Gossip feels okay because the person we are talking about isn't there to hear it.

Saying negative things about someone else can help people feel positive about themselves.

Most gossip is fake news. The story gets bigger and bigger as it spreads around, until it is almost totally made up.

People feel hurt and sad when gossip is told about them.

If you gossip, people will not trust you.

You need to decide if you will stand by or stand up.

To stand up, say "That's gossip" or "I don't want to hear about that."

Try changing the conversation to something else.

If this still doesn't work, walk away.

Remember that people who gossip are looking for something else to talk about.

If you have a big response, or try to fight back, you will start new gossip.

The more you ignore the gossip, the faster it will go away.