Bullying Prevention

"Part of keeping kids and communities safe is preventing bullying. Bullying can be physically and psychologically damaging and have lifelong effects, including anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies... Words can hurt, but they can also help. You have the power to make a difference by stopping bullying when you see it. You can be a good example by not gossiping or making fun of others. Although bullying was once considered a rite of passage, parents, educators, and community leaders now see bullying as a devastating form of abuse that can have long-term effects on youthful victims, robbing them of self-esteem, isolating them from their peers, causing them to drop out of school, and even prompting health problems and suicide."

kids dancing

How Parents Can Prevent Bullying:

  • Teach kids to solve problems without violence and praise them when they do
  • Give children positive feedback to build their self-esteem
  • Ask your children about their day and listen to them
  • Many children are embarrassed to say they have been bullied so take it seriously
  • Stop any bullying you see right away, even if it is your child doing it
  • Encourage your child to help others who need it

How Kids Can Prevent Bullying:

There are effective and safe ways for kids to help someone who is being bullied. You can help kids know what method works best by role-playing with them. Emphasize they should only step in if they feel safe.

  • Walk away - shows bullies their behavior is not okay
  • Speak up - tell bullies that what they are doing is wrong by saying "that's not funny"
  • Be a friend - sometimes kids are bullied because they do not have friends so make friends with them. This also builds their support and confidence to stand up for themselves

Additional Link(s):

It is estimated that 160,000 children miss school every day due to fear of an attack or intimation by other students. Additional resources to prevent bullying are listed below: