What do we mean when we talk abour peer bullying in schools?

The nature of peer bullying in schools is described, differentiating between its defining characteristics and others usually but not necessarily present. Topics on the phenomenon, sometimes unreal, are analysed. On the basis of Spanish data, incidence of bullying in schools, its settings and participants, and its consequences for the ones involved are summarised, together with students? and teachers? representations of this problem, resulting from qualitative studies carried out by the authors. Finally, the role of different participants, specially the school, in the intervention and prevention of bullying, is discussed.