Preventing and Responding to Bullying: Resources for Adults and Kids

Bullying is in the news lately not only because October happens to be Bully Prevention Awareness Month but also because of the recent death of 15-year-old Amanda Todd, who committed suicide after being tormented for years in school and online.

Stories like Amanda’s show how critical it is that we teach children how to prevent and respond to bullying. A great place to start is www.stopbullying.gov.

People of a certain age tend to think of bullying as physical abuse and taunting. But technology has given rise to “cyber bullying,” or using cell phones and social media to spread pictures, rumors and hurtful comments about others.

Educators also recognize social or relational bullying, including spreading rumors and purposely excluding someone from a group or event.

How to Recognize Bullying

Bullying is easy to recognize when you catch the aggressor in the act, but most of the time you won’t witness the actual abuse. It is important to watch for changes in a child’s behavior that may indicate he or she is being bullied. Look for changes in mood such as depression or rage. Sometimes, the emotional distress can cause physical symptoms such as headaches. As was the case with Amanda Todd, victims of bullying may intentionally cut or otherwise harm themselves. Loss of friends or change of social crowd might also be signs of bullying.

What to Do if You Witness or Suspect Bullying

Stop bullying on the spot if you witness it. The Respond to Bullying section on www.stopbullying.gov tells you how to safely and decisively intervene, get to the bottom of what’s happening, and support the kids involved.

If a child is being bullied at school, enlist the help of teachers, the school counselor and the principal.

Above all, always set a positive example. Treat people with dignity and respect, and make it clear to kids you expect them to do the same.

The following web pages provide additional information on preventing and responding to bullying:

http://www.stompoutbullying.org/

http://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness/bullying-prevention-awareness-month

http://www.pacer.org/bullying/nbpm/

Dr. Jeff Pinkerton
iCare for you.