Stop School Bullying and Cyberbullying
What you need to know about bullying, bullies, and how to stop the cycle of bullying.
Here are six steps toward stopping a bullying situation:
Fonville's years as a bullying target are over. As a junior in high school, she's developed a healthy self-esteem, a strong sense of who she is and wants to be, and the unique ability and desire to help others who are being bullied.
"There's a kid in my school who has autism," Fonville says. "The other kids bully him all the time. They make fun of him, pick on him, make him do things. And once one of them starts, they all jump in and do it together."
Why Bullies Bully
What you need to know about bullying, bullies, and how to stop the cycle of bullying.
6 Ways to Stop the Bullying Cycle
Here are six steps toward stopping a bullying situation:
- Believe the child. "If your child tells you about a bullying situation, don't dismiss it as, 'Kids will be kids,'" Raffalli says.
- Set a positive example. Kids often mimic what they see. So live in a way that shows your kids the healthy social and emotional skills that will help them deal with bullying.
- Watch for signs of bullying. "Bullying comes with a code of silence -- no one involved says anything about it, even the victims," says Espelage. So parents have to be extra vigilant. Watch for signs of bullying like a change in your child's grades, difficulty sleeping, and depression.
- If your child is the bully, take action quickly. "Parents generally like to think the best of their kids," Sege says. But if you don't stop a budding bullying problem quickly, you may face a much worse situation later. "We need to nip it in the bud as it's emerging, when it's most effective and easier to turn around," Slaby tells WebMD.
- Teach kids what do to if they are bullied or see someone else being bullied. "Kids really should put a stop to bulling when they see it happening," Fonville says. "Don't be afraid to stand up for someone else." All it takes is one person standing up to a bully to help the situation, and the victim -- and empathy is key, Slaby says. Try a simple approach with the bully, like "How would you feel if someone did this to you?"
- Get help. Resources include parents, pediatricians, teachers, social workers, therapists/psychologists, guidance counselors, school administrators, and law enforcement, in cases of criminal behavior.
Life After Being Bullied
Fonville's years as a bullying target are over. As a junior in high school, she's developed a healthy self-esteem, a strong sense of who she is and wants to be, and the unique ability and desire to help others who are being bullied.
"There's a kid in my school who has autism," Fonville says. "The other kids bully him all the time. They make fun of him, pick on him, make him do things. And once one of them starts, they all jump in and do it together."