Unfortunately, bullying is a common issue in schools everywhere in the US. Did you know that mentors have an impact in preventing bullying? Mentors can help their mentees build skills, develop relationships, overcome challenges, and gain confidence. Read on to learn more about how to prevent bullying from happening. Remember, this was one reason we created Empowermates – peer tutors who go to the same school as the kids they work with. The Empowermate bonds go beyond the walls of the Student Den and into the school, helping kids of various ages and backgrounds get connected beyond academics.
As reported on the 2019 Indicators of School Crime and Safety report, about 20% of students ages 12-18 reported being bullied in 2017. Among students ages 12-18 who reported being bullied during the school year, 15% were bullied online or by text. National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month is a month-long observance to educate and raise awareness about bullying and cyberbullying prevention. Addressing and preventing bullying is something that everyone can do, every day.
Educators and teachers can create a safe, supportive learning environment and a classroom culture of positivity, inclusiveness and respect. They can reward students for positive social behavior. Schools can communicate bullying policies at their school to parents, students, teachers and staff and follow through on them. Monitoring bullying ‘hot spots’ around the school campus can also help prevent bullying.
Parents and caregivers can talk with their children about their school and digital life, and the many roles children can play in bullying. By asking open-ended questions, they can talk about their children’s experience and communicate expectations about appropriate behavior – in person and in their digital world. Parents are the primary role models for their children, and when they model the behavior they expect from their children, they teach through actions.
Mentors can also model kindness, inclusivity, and respect. They can ask open-ended questions of their mentees and listen without judgement. Providing positive reinforcement to children and teenagers can help protect them from bullying and other risky behaviors. They can also provide support to all kids involved, and help make sure the bullying doesn’t continue and its effects are minimized.
Youth who experience bullying can reach out to a trusted adult to talk about it and get support. If they’re being cyberbullied, they can capture screenshots. They can block the people who are bullying. If they witness bullying, they can change the conversation and deflect it. If they feel they can do it, they can stand up for the person being bullied, either on their own or with friends as a group. If they don’t feel safe doing that, they can reach out to the person being bullied to let them know that they don’t agree with it. If youth witness cyberbullying, they shouldn’t participate or share the posts or texts. They can learn more about how bystanders are essential to bullying prevention. They can also talk to a trusted adult for advice.
The Student Den is here to support your children’s education and guide them to behave responsibly and successfully. Let us help make things easier for you and your kids. Get in touch with our experts today at (561) 815-8516 and visit our Facebook page.
Reference: [https://www.stopbullying.gov/blog/2020/10/21/october-national-bullying-prevention-awareness-month ]
