Many times, flirting is welcome attention. It goes both ways, and both people enjoy it. Flirting doesn't make you feel bad. It's perfectly fine for kids in fact, it's illegal.
Flirting is OK because it can be between two classmates who are both doing the flirting, and no one is being disrespected. But it's not OK for adults to flirt with kids — in fact, it's illegal.
Sexual harassment is attention or actions that are not wanted and make you feel bad. If somebody flirts and it is unwanted, ask the person to stop. If they don't stop, it's considered harassment.
It is illegal to harass somebody.
The key difference between flirting and sexual harassment is that sexual harassment is unwelcome. The contact was not invited or accepted. Sexual Harassment is one-sided because only one of you wants to be in that situation. It doesn't matter how the harasser says they "meant it"; it only matters how the behavior makes you feel.
Sexual harassment is never OK, and nobody ever deserves it. If you're harassed, be sure to report it. If a friend is harassed, talk to them and make sure they report it. The harasser needs to be stopped.
Last Reviewed: July 2019