7 Ways to Stop Bullying
There is a good chance that the child in your life is being bullied in some way.
Indeed, 1 in 5 children in the United States between the ages of 12–18 has been bullied at some point while in school. Perhaps even more surprising is that over half of adolescents and teens have experienced cyberbullying or been bullied online.
Bullying, in whatever form, can have profound effects upon young children. Children who have been bullied often experience anxiety and depression, as well as increased feelings of sadness and loneliness. Along with this, children who have been bullied may also experience changes in eating and sleeping habits. Frequent headaches and stomach aches are also signs that a child may be bullied.
In regards to academics, those students who have experienced bullying often perform lower in reading, math, and science courses. Indeed, school aged children who have been bullied are more likely to skip school, with 160,000 of teens reporting to have skipped because of bullying.
Here are 7 ways that you can help protect your child from bullying, and prevent it from happening in the future.
1.Recognize the signs.
One way you can help prevent bullying is by recognizing what bullying looks like, and knowing what the signs are that your child might be bullied. These include:
- Child may not want to go to school.
- Child might pretend to be sick.
- Belongings lost or “stolen”.
- Drop in grades and school performance.
- Unexplainable injuries, marks, or bruises.
- Loss of friends, or avoidance of socializing with others.
- Appears anxious or afraid.
- Decrease in self esteem and confidence.
- Self harm and self destructive habits.
- Sadness, moodiness, and depression.
2. Talking to your child.
If you are a parent and suspect your child is being bullied, it is imperative that you take this seriously. Sit down with your child, and listen with a sympathetic and compassionate ear. Do not over react, or for that matter, under react, not taking it seriously enough. In no way should you blame him or give him cause to think he is at fault. Indeed, ask him when and where the bullying is occurring and who the bully is. Make sure your child has your phone numbers and let him know he can call you anytime he is being bullied and needs help.
3. Reminders and support.
Talk to him about bullying, and how he can report it to you and to others. Remind the child that you will help him, and that he is safe in your home. Your support and your love is most important to him at this time, and your words of encouragement are also important. Remind him that he is important and that he is loved.
4. Reassurance.
For some children who are bullied, they might believe that it is their fault, that something is wrong about them, and that they did something wrong. It is vital that you reassure the child that it is indeed not their fault, and that they did nothing wrong. Instead, remind them how special they are.
5. School contact.
Contact your child’s school and the child’s teacher immediately, informing them of the bullying towards the child. Request that the school separate the child and the bully, at all times and in all places while at school. While it may be difficult for your child, encourage him to walk away any time he is being bullied. Remind him to find an adult if he feels he is being bullied. Remind him that retaliation in school, or hitting another child, will not be permitted by the school.
6. Monitoring child’s phone and social media.
Cyberbullying is the platform in which the 21st century bully uses to inflict pain and humiliation upon another. Cyberbullying is the use of technology to embarrass, threaten, tease, harass, or even target another person. With the use of online technology and social networking sites, today’s bully can follow their targeted victim where ever the child may go. Whether the child is in school, at the park, at the movie theater, or at home, whenever that bullied child has a cell phone or access to online technology, he can be bullied. In essence, this form of bullying can be non-stop, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
7. Staying involved.
The most important thing you can do as a parent in protecting your child from bullying is to stay heavily involved in all aspects of the child’s school life. Ask your child each day how school was. Enquire about your child’s friends. Keep in regular contact with your child’s teachers, and ask for updates on the child’s behavior and academics. If possible, become a volunteer at the school. Not only will these strategies help monitor any possible cyberbullying behavior, you will also help your child with any academic challenges they might be experiencing. Watch for sudden mood swings that might suggest the child is being bullied, as well as signs of depression, isolation, and separation from others.
No matter the form of bullying that your child is a victim of, it is important that you seek professional help and therapy if your child is struggling to overcome his depression. Call the STOP BULLYING NOW HOTLINE (USA) 1–800–273–8
Dr. John DeGarmo is an international expert in parenting and foster care and is a TEDx Talk presenter. Dr. John is the founder and director of The Foster Care Institute. He has been a foster parent for 17 years, and he and his wife have had over 60 children come through their home. He is an international consultant to schools, legal firms, and foster care agencies, as well as an empowerment and transformational speaker and trainer for schools, child welfare, businesses, and non profit organizations. He is the author of several books, including The Foster Care Survival Guide and writes for several publications. Dr. John has appeared on CNN HLN, Good Morning, America, and NBC, FOX, CBS, and PBS stations across the nation. He and his wife have received many awards, including the Good Morning America Ultimate Hero Award. He can be contacted at drjohndegarmo@gmail, through his Facebook page, Dr. John DeGarmo, or at The Foster Care Institute.