Stop bullying in its tracks

What is bullying?

Bullying is a form of aggression, in which one child or more children repeatedly and intentionally intimidate, harass or harm a victim who is perceived as unable to defend him/herself.

Types of bullying

• • Physical, for example hitting, tripping, kicking and the destruction of property

• • Verbal, for example teasing, name-calling, taunting and making inappropriate sexual comments

• • Psychological/social, for example spreading rumours about a child, embarrassing him/her in public or excluding him/her from a group

• • Electronic, for example cyberbullying. Using emails, text messages, videos posted on websites or sent through phones, etc. to threaten or harm others.

Signs that your child is being bullied

• • Lost or destroyed clothing, electronic equipment, etc.

• • Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations

• • Poor school performance or reluctance to attend school

• • Physical complaints, for example headaches

• • Trouble sleeping

• • Changes in eating habits

• • Distress after spending time online or on the cellphone

• • Feelings of helplessness or low self-esteem

• • Self-destructive or suicidal behaviour.

Take bullying seriously

• • Encourage your child to share his/her concerns. Remain calm and loving, listen to your child and support his/her feelings. Express understanding and concern. Remind your child that he/she is not to blame

• • Ask your child to describe how and when the bullying occurs and who is involved. Find out what your child has done to try to stop the bullying and what has or hasn’t worked. Ask what can be done to help him/her feel safe

• • Don’t promote retaliation against a bully. Rather suggest that your child leaves him/her alone, walk away to avoid the bully, ignore the bully, ask a teacher or other adult for help or stick with friends. Ask your child not to respond to cyberbullying and block the cyberbully if possible

• • Establish how your child uses his/her electronic equipment to interact with others. If your child is being cyberbullied, don’t automatically take away his/her cell phone or computer; your child might be reluctant to report bullying in future for fear of having these privileges taken away

• • Boost your child’s self-confidence. Encourage him/her to build friendships and to get involved in activities that emphasise his/her strengths and talents.

Response to bullying

• • Note the date, who was involved and what happened as objectively as possible. Save screenshots, emails and texts

• • Seek help from the principal, teacher or school psychologist

• • Report cyberbullying to service providers or websites

• • If your child has been physically attacked or threatened, talk to school officials and call the police

• • Don’t lay blame, ask for help to solve the problem instead. Keep notes on contact that you have with school officials. If the bullying continues, be persistent

• • Establish how the school addresses bullying and how staff members are obligated to respond to known or suspected bullying

• • As a last resort, take legal action.

 

Sources
www.cnn.com
www.mayoclinic.com