👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bullying Is Unacceptable: Bullying Prevention

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Bullying has become a major problem in our society.  Children are bullying other children in school and online. We need to “actively” do something to extinguish it. Bullying is unacceptable. When children feel comfortable to report when they are bullied, when they witness others being bullied and when adults stop the first sign of it in every case, in time, bullying will not be the major problem that it is today. Adults should monitor children’s behavior and ask questions about their day regularly.

Statistics: 

• About 42 percent of kids have been bullied while online with one in four being verbally attacked more than once.
• About 35 percent of kids have been threatened online.
• About 58 percent of kids and teens have reported that something has been said about them or to them online.
• Other bullying statistics show that about 77 percent of students have admitted to being the victim of one type of bullying or another.

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http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/bullying-statistics.html

*Children are increasingly choosing to take their own life because they no longer can handle bullies and how bullies have made them feel. Some children are taking matters in their own hands by becoming violent and bully others themselves, often times resorting to even killing because they have gotten fed up with being taunted, called derogatory names, being hit, shoved around, embarrassed in front of others, and yes even threatened.  This must stop. 

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https://www.stopbullying.gov/

Children should not fear other children or be reluctant to go to school or wonder about what “Tommy”, “Jane”, “Michael” will say or do to them. They go to school to learn and to be with their friends. They should be enjoying their life from day-to-day. 

📌How can you help extinguish Bullying?
1. Talk with your children about bullying. Give them examples of what bullying is and include the first signs of bullying such as negative comments about their hair, clothes or anything that makes them feel uncomfortable. Tell them that they should report any problem that they are having, not only to their teacher or a school official but to you (their parent) as well. Tell your children that they should not bully anyone and discuss consequences. 
2. School districts should have an anti-bullying program in place and each school in the district should be required to implement the program each school term, including participation from parents, community and local authorities such as the sheriff and/or police department for support. Consequences should be clear to students. Parents should ask their local school district about Bullying Prevention programs and how Bullying is addressed in their school.
3. Online Bullying is becoming more prevalent since children communicate using electronic devices such as their cell phones, iPads, tablets, and computers. This is called Cyber Bullying.  Parents should closely monitor the activities of children and have rules in place for misuse of their electronic devices, especially when it relates to bullying others. 
4. All children should know that they will be safe if they report any incidents, whether if bullying happens to them or if they witness it happening to someone else. 

{No child should feel isolated, alone nor fear anyone.}

*Bullying Prevention is important. Adults can get ahead of what could become a major problem for children just by addressing it EARLY and OFTEN. 

-GPS