October is National Bullying Prevention Month

Greetings Readers!

Since 2006, October has been observed as National Bullying Prevention Month in the United States. This campaign was founded by PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. Their focus is to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Historically, bullying had been viewed as “a childhood rite of passage” that “made kids tougher,” but the reality has always been that bullying can leave devastating and often long-term effects. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and the Department of Education released the first federal definition of bullying. The definition includes three core elements:

  • unwanted aggressive behavior

  • observed or perceived power imbalance

  • repetition or high likelihood of repetition of bullying behaviors

Bullying has different forms and none of them are acceptable. However, bullying can be social, verbal, and physical. Students ages 12-18 experienced various types of bullying, including Being the subject of rumors or lies, being made fun of, being called names, insulted, being pushed, shoved, tripped, or spit on, and more. It is important that everyone becomes more knowledgeable about bullying and learn about the warning signs. These are a few steps you can take to help be involved and support National Bullying Prevention Month. 

What We’ve Learned About Bullying:

  • Bullying affects all youth, including those who are bullied, those who bully others, and those who witness bullying. The effects of bullying may continue into adulthood.

  • There is no limit on young people who can be involved in bullying. Youth who bully can be either well connected socially or marginalized and may be bullied by others as well. Similarly, those who are bullied sometimes bully others.

  • Solutions to bullying are not simple. Bullying prevention approaches that show the most promise confront the problem from many angles. They involve the entire school community—students, families, administrators, teachers, and staff such as bus drivers, nurses, cafeteria, and front office staff—in creating a culture of respect. Zero tolerance and expulsion are not effective approaches.

  • Bystanders, or those who see bullying, can make a huge difference when they intervene on behalf of someone being bullied.

  • Studies also have shown that adults can help prevent bullying by talking to children about bullying, encouraging them to do what they love, modeling kindness and respect, and seeking help

Here’s how YOU can be a Prevention Partner:

Educators and teachers can create a safe, supportive learning environment and a classroom culture of positivity, inclusiveness, and respect. They can reward students for positive social behavior. Schools can communicate bullying policies at their school to parents, students, teachers, and staff and follow through on them. Monitoring bullying ‘hot spots’ around the school campus can also help prevent bullying.

Parents and caregivers can talk with their children about their school and digital life, and the many roles children can play in bullying. By asking open-ended questions, they can talk about their children’s experiences and communicate expectations about appropriate behavior – in person and in their digital world. Parents are the primary role models for their children, and when they model the behavior they expect from their children, they teach through actions.

Mentors can also model kindness, inclusivity, and respect. They can ask open-ended questions of their mentees and listen without judgment. Providing positive reinforcement to children and teenagers can help protect them from bullying and other risky behaviors.  They can also provide support to all kids involved and help make sure the bullying doesn’t continue and its effects are minimized.

Youth who experience bullying can reach out to a trusted adult to talk about it and get support. If they are being cyberbullied, they can capture screenshots. They can block the people who are bullying. If they witness bullying, they can change the conversation and deflect it. If they feel they can do it, they can stand up for the person being bullied, either on their own or with friends as a group. If they do not feel safe doing that, they can reach out to the person being bullied to let them know that they do not agree with it. If youth witness cyberbullying, they should not participate in or share the posts or texts. They can learn more about how bystanders are essential to bullying prevention. They can also talk to a trusted adult for advice.

Reach out to new classmates this month — especially those who appear to be struggling. Report bullying when you see it and do not let others suffer in silence.

For more information visit https://www.stopbullying.gov/