A quarter of teachers recognise banter as a serious problem in schools
A quarter of teachers (26%) think face-to-face banter is a serious problem within their schools, with even more (37%) thinking its effects online are serious, according to a Nottingham Trent University survey of nearly 900 UK teachers, co-created with the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
By Helen Breese | Published on 13 November 2023
Categories: Press office; Research; School of Social Sciences;
Of the teachers questioned, 62% agreed that there is a fine and subjective line of acceptability between banter and bullying.
Knowing when banter crosses the line into bullying is also a challenge for teachers, as the overwhelming majority (84%) receive no training on the issue, and 64% say they have no school policy for dealing with banter to fall back on.
The research forms part of Anti-Bullying Week 2023, which takes place from 13 – 17 November with the theme ‘Make a Noise’ – encouraging children and adults to not stay silent about bullying.
Anti-Bullying Week is coordinated in England, Wales and Northern Ireland by the Anti-Bullying Alliance and is expected to reach over three-quarters of schools and over 7.5 million children. As part of this year’s Anti-Bullying Week campaign, the Anti-Bullying Alliance is urging everyone to think about what we mean by banter, the role banter plays in bullying and how we can tackle it.
Banter is an important part of bonding, but there's a fine line of acceptability
Each year, the Anti-Bullying Alliance develops free Primary and Secondary teaching resources to support schools during Anti-Bullying Week. This year NTU Psychology researchers have supported the Anti-Bullying Alliance with developing some of the content for the school resources which help support conversations with pupils about their understanding of what banter is and is not.
Lucy Betts, Professor of Social Developmental Psychology at Nottingham Trent University’s School of Social Sciences, led the work at NTU with colleagues Dr Sarah Buglass, Dr Loren Abell and Dr Oonagh Steer.
Professor Betts said: “Our research has shown that there is a fine and subjective line between banter and bullying. In most cases, sharing jokes and banter with friends can be fun and can help strengthen these friendships.
“However, when the banter stops being funny or when it crosses the line of acceptability, these behaviours may become bullying. Therefore, we are delighted to have had the opportunity to work with the Anti-Bullying Alliance to develop resources for Anti-Bullying week.”
Martha Evans, Director of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, said: "Recognising the fine line between banter and bullying is crucial for the development and emotional well-being of our children. Banter is a fun part of communication, but too often bullying behaviours are dismissed as ‘just banter’.
“We want to see schools having conversations with pupils this Anti-Bullying Week about where the lines are between banter and bullying. We must empower educators with the confidence to support children, fostering an environment where every child's voice is heard and respected and we hope Anti-Bullying Week 2023: Make A Noise can help achieve this."
Listen to the latest Re:search Re:imgained podcast Anti-Bullying Week 2023: Banter and belonging – when does banter cross the line? or download the classroom resources and listen to a special podcast on Banter vs Bullying: influencing classroom culture (teacher’s special) on the NTU website.
Notes for Editors
Press enquiries please contact Helen Breese, Public Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8751, or via email.
About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) received the Queen’s Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education in 2021 for cultural heritage science research. It is the second time that NTU has been bestowed the honour of receiving a Queen’s Anniversary Prize for its research, the first being in 2015 for leading-edge research on the safety and security of global citizens.
The Research Excellence Framework (2021) classed 83% of NTU’s research activity as either world-leading or internationally excellent. 86% of NTU’s research impact was assessed to be either world-leading or internationally excellent.
NTU was awarded The Times and The Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2023 and ranked University of the Year in the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023. It was awarded Outstanding Support for Students 2020 (Times Higher Education Awards), University of the Year 2019 (Guardian University Awards, UK Social Mobility Awards), Modern University of the Year 2018 (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide) and University of the Year 2017 (Times Higher Education Awards).
NTU is the 5th largest UK institution by student numbers, with approximately 40,000 students and more than 4,400 staff located across five campuses. It has an international student population of 7,000 and an NTU community representing over 160 countries.
Since 2000, NTU has invested £570 million in tools, technology, buildings and facilities.
NTU is in the UK’s top 10 for number of applications and ranked first for accepted offers (2021 UCAS UG acceptance data). It is also among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds and was the first UK university to sign the Social Mobility Pledge.
NTU is ranked the second most sustainable university in the world in the 2022 UI Green Metric University World Rankings (out of more than 900 participating universities).