But what can we do about bullying in schools, playgrounds or other places? According to most anti-bullying websites, bullying is helped by peer pressure. As Paul O'Connell wrote in ERIC Digest (www.eric.ed.gov),"peers may actively or passively reinforce the aggressive behaviors of bullies through their attention and engagement. Peer pressure is positively related to the persistence of bullying episodes". But what does this mean?
It means that most often bullying happens where there is an audience to watch and that peer pressure can both positively and negatively effect the outcome. If people stand up to the bullying by speaking out, the bullying will stop. Most people who are bullied may be afraid to speak up because they fear that they may be additionally targeted as being a tattler, but it is important to speak out about bullying. If you see another student being bullied, tell a parent, teacher, counselor or someone you trust about it. Most schools have an anti-bullying rule and deal with bullying harshly.
What Can You Do?
• Don’t just stand there. . . SAY SOMETHING!
• Kids who bully may think they’re being funny or “cool.” If you feel safe, tell the person to STOP the bullying behavior. Say you don’t like it and that it isn’t funny.
• DON’T BULLY BACK! It won’t help if you use mean names or actions, and it could make things worse.
• Say kind words to the child who is being bullied, such as “I’m sorry about what happened,” and “I don’t like it!” Help them understand that it’s not his or her fault. Be a friend. Invite that student to do things with you, such as sit together at lunch or work together on a project. EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND
• Tell the student who is being bullied to talk to someone about what happened. Offer to help by going along.
• Pay attention to the other kids who see the bullying. (These people are called "bystanders.") Are any of them laughing or joining in with the bullying? If yes, these kids are part of the problem. Let those students know that they're not helping. DON'T be one of them! (http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/HHS_PSA/pdfs/SBN_Tip_17.pdf)
But what can we do about bullying in schools, playgrounds or other places?
According to most anti-bullying websites, bullying is helped by peer pressure. As Paul O'Connell wrote in ERIC Digest (www.eric.ed.gov),"peers may actively or passively reinforce the aggressive behaviors of bullies through their attention and engagement. Peer pressure is positively related to the persistence of bullying episodes".
But what does this mean?
It means that most often bullying happens where there is an audience to watch and that peer pressure can both positively and negatively effect the outcome. If people stand up to the bullying by speaking out, the bullying will stop. Most people who are bullied may be afraid to speak up because they fear that they may be additionally targeted as being a tattler, but it is important to speak out about bullying. If you see another student being bullied, tell a parent, teacher, counselor or someone you trust about it. Most schools have an anti-bullying rule and deal with bullying harshly.
What Can You Do?
• Don’t just stand there. . . SAY SOMETHING!
• Kids who bully may think they’re being funny or “cool.” If you feel safe, tell the person to STOP the bullying behavior. Say you don’t like it and that it isn’t funny.
• DON’T BULLY BACK! It won’t help if you use mean names or actions, and it could make things worse.
• Say kind words to the child who is being bullied, such as “I’m sorry about what happened,” and “I don’t like it!” Help them understand that it’s not his or her fault. Be a friend. Invite that student to do things with you, such as sit together at lunch or work together on a project. EVERYONE NEEDS A FRIEND
• Tell the student who is being bullied to talk to someone about what happened. Offer to help by going along.
• Pay attention to the other kids who see the bullying. (These people are called "bystanders.") Are any of them laughing or joining in with the bullying? If yes, these kids are part of the problem. Let those students know that they're not helping. DON'T be one of them!
(http://www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov/HHS_PSA/pdfs/SBN_Tip_17.pdf)