Yes, kids have always teased each other. It begins in kindergarten and continues, accelerating during the tumultuous years of middle school. Deep emotional scars often result.
Today, bullying has become more invasive due to social media and a media that celebrates violence. Another difference is that stories are being heard, facts are being collected and help is available.
USALIVE.COM 2010 STUDY:
Research is being done and data collected:
- 24% of students found school unsafe and 28% of students felt violence was OK in school.
- Bullying is more than teasing. In 2010, fifty percent of high schoolers admitted to violence.
- Victims are often anxious, insecure, depressed, sad, low self-esteem, lack social skills, experience loneliness, sleeplessness and sometimes suicidal thoughts.
- The incident of suicide by bullied kids is increasing.
- 10% of students studied had brought weapons to school.
What at can parents parents do ?
Listen to your children. Communication is critical. Pay attention to their emotions. Become involved in your child’s school and talk with other parents. Have more parent-teacher conferences. Teach your children to live by the Golden Rule, it is timeless: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
There are many websites offering information and help.
Here is a website: http://bullyfree.com that educates and offers tips to students, parents and teachers. An excerpt:
Three Things Kids Need to Know about Bullying
- Bullying is disobeying the Golden Rule – treat others the way you want to be treated. The Golden Rule is the answer to all relationship problems. Don’t let others convince you to mistreat someone, to laugh when they are mistreated and don’t ignore it.
- Remember, no one deserves to be bullied. Don’t let others convince you that you are defective or that you aren’t what you should be. It is never okay to bully someone. If you are doing something that doesn’t help you make and keep friends, try to stop it. But they never have the right to bully you.
- Always tell a trusted adult and have hope. We know how to prevent and stop bullying. This is not a problem you should try to solve on your own. If the adult doesn’t help you, then tell another adult. One way to stand up for yourself is to ask an adult to help you. You are not tattling, you are reporting. When you tattle, you are trying to get someone into trouble. When you report, you are trying to help someone who is in trouble.
Another website Teen Truth, http://teentruthlive.com/ offers a DVD that the CAGV has shown at events and presentations, filmed by students about students. Young people are encouraged by listening to each other.
