“I’m having sleepless nights. I am the one everyone likes to pick on. I’m dreading the hour long bus ride and its non stop abuse all the way to school. I just want to be left alone!”
– real post from kidshelpphone.ca
Did you know that the average Canadian elementary classroom contains at least one or two students who have experienced bullying?
At Kids Help Phone, 10% of the contacts that come in over the phone and online relate to bullying.
Young people don’t always know what to do when they are being bullied, witnessing bullying, or being bullies. That’s why it’s important to help them understand that help is available, and that the situation can change.
Listen. If a young person reports a bullying incident to you, either as a target or a bystander, act immediately. Your child needs to know that you can and will help.
Be supportive. Don’t minimize what your child is going through. Try to understand the impact the bullying is having on them, and assure them that you are on their side.
Report it. If the bully is a student, consider reporting it to the school principal. If you feel that your child is physically at risk, call the police at once.
Stay aware. Keep the family computer in a central location where you can easily monitor it.
Encourage them to do the right thing. If your kid is a bystander, explain that it’s important that they take a stand. Bystanders have power. Studies have shown that bullying stops within 10 seconds more than 50% of the time when a bystander intervenes.
Save the message. If your kid is being cyberbullying, it can be tempting for them to respond to a message, but it’s better that they don’t. Have them save the message or take a screen shot. Having a record can help you prove what happened.
Don’t tell them to fight back. Be assertive, not aggressive. Fighting or responding to online abuse or rumours with more of the same doesn’t help anyone.
Don’t give up. Kids Help Phone counsellors are always here to help at 1-800-668-6868 or www.kidshelpphone.ca. Parents can also find useful information about bullying.
So important!
Very good advice
I’m glad to see more and more focus on awareness of bullying. 🙂
I’m glad to see more and more focus on awareness of bullying. 🙂