How to Deal With Gossip & Rumors
Gossip and rumors have always been a part of school life and the workplace environment. Kids are especially subjected to these issues. Gossip and rumors are a form of bullying as well. Many people have been traumatized and hurt by such harmful chatter. The Internet has only made it harder to deal with gossip and rumors. Social networking sites connect millions of people around the world and once a hurtful statement, or photo, goes online it can be impossible to repair the damage.
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Instructions
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Choose not to listen to gossip. If someone wants to tell you what they "heard" about another person don't listen. This is harder than it sounds, but is the first step to squashing rumors.
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Don't repeat the rumor. If you cannot resist the urge to listen to the rumor, at least choose not to repeat it. The fewer people who keep the rumor circulating, the sooner it will go away. In the case of an Internet rumor, it may never completely go away, but the initial interest will fade away.
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Act as a mediator. Defend the person the rumor is about. Let her know what things are being said about her and find a way to help stop it. You may have to get a teacher or supervisor involved depending on environment and how hurtful the gossip is becoming.
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Show respect for other people. Remember to show everyone the same courtesy as you would want shown to you. It is easy for gossip and rumors to be misinterpreted, and even engaging in a small amount of hearsay can be hurtful to someone.
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Speak to the source of the rumor. This is especially necessary if you are the subject of the rumor. It is best to clear the air and get the facts straight. People who start rumors often do so maliciously. Find out what the problem is between you and this person. Don't escalate to a confrontation, as this will only fuel another rumor.
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References
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