Bullying has been a part of children’s lives probably since the beginning of time.  What was once thought of as “just a part of childhood” is now seen as a very serious, and sometimes deadly, form of abuse.  Let’s find ways to prevent bullying from ever happening in the first place.

Here are a few tips to prevent, and respond, to bullying / cyber-bullying:

• Understand that it is not a “rite of passage” for children to be bullied.  It can have very long-term, even deadly, consequences.
• Pay attention to what is going on both at school and at home.  If a child starts to fear going to school or to an activity, ask questions.
• Have clear discipline policies at school or in sports activities, and make it understood that bullying will not be tolerated.
• Have in-service trainings for teachers and parents about what to look for in terms of bullying, and how to prevent it.
• Encourage youth to talk to “safe adults” if they are being bullied, or if they know that bullying is occurring to anyone.
• Supervise children when they are on-line and tell them to never pass along harmful information about others.
• Tell children to never give out personal information on-line.
• Insist on having access to their social media sites.
• Teach empathy and interpersonal skills, so that children will grow up understanding how hurtful it is to harm or tease others.
• Create opportunities for children to “do good”, especially children you know, or suspect may be engaging in bullying behaviors.

For more information, go to:  

https://in.gov/doe/students/school-safety-and-wellness/bullying-prevention-resources/

https://insource.org/get-help/resources/ages-3-to-22/safety/