Strategies for Effective Bullying Prevention

For participating schools across the nation, October is widely recognized as National Bullying Prevention Month. This month provides a crucial opportunity for faculty to take decisive action against the bullying epidemic that affects educators, parents, and students alike every day. 

Bullying can involve physical harm, property damage, social exclusion, name-calling, or online behaviors. However it manifests, it involves perpetrators intent on causing harm, creating distress, or instilling fear. No school is immune from this danger, making this Fall semester a perfect time to implement comprehensive anti-bullying strategies. Let’s explore what this can look like.

Prevalence and Impact of Bullying

Bullying has become increasingly prevalent, particularly in middle schools. Studies show that 26% of middle school students experience bullying compared to 16% of high school students. This spike in middle school bullying is often attributed to… 

• transitioning to a new or more challenging environment
• trying to find ones’ place among new peers
• dealing with social groups jockeying for position
  
  

Cyberbullying has also taken center stage, with one-third of students reporting they have been victimized. The rate is highest among grades six through eight at 28%. A recent survey found that screen time for children aged eight to twelve rose to five hours and 33 minutes in 2021 (and more than eight hours for teens). Much of this also took place without any adult supervision. 

This form of bullying is especially dangerous for several reasons:

• rumors can spread almost instantly
• information is easily shared among large groups
• messages can be created and sent anonymously
• images/texts that have spread are very hard to delete
  
  

The consequences of bullying can be severe and long-lasting. 68% of kids who have been harassed online have mental health issues. Bullying is a primary reason why students suffer from mental and emotional health issues, which also hinder their ability to learn and engage at school. Victims may develop academic difficulties, emotional distress, engage in risky behaviors, or resort to self-harm. Further, those who bully others are more likely to engage in risky behaviors even into adulthood – including substance abuse, violence, criminal activities, dropping out of school, and being abusive in future relationships.

Types of Bullying

It's crucial to recognize the many forms of bullying our young people can be exposed to:

1. Physical Bullying and Intimidation: Including kicking, hitting, blocking, shoving, unwanted touching, physical intimidation, and stealing or damaging possessions.
2. Verbal Bullying: Including name-calling, persistent teasing, making threats, and making offensive comments about someone's appearance, gender, religion, ethnicity, disability, sexual identity or orientation, or other attributes.
3. Social or Relational Bullying: Including deliberately ignoring or preventing someone from joining or being part of a group or activity, spreading rumors, purposefully damaging relationships and friendships, embarrassing someone in public, and sharing information or images that may cause harm.
4. Cyberbullying: Using technology such as text messages, emails, chat rooms, and social media to create widespread rumors, send unwanted pictures or videos, and otherwise spread harmful messages.

Note: If a child within your care is being cyberbullied by someone anonymous, it’s important to first document everything. Take screenshots of the bullying messages, posts, or comments, and report the activity to the platform where the bullying is happening. Many social media platforms and apps have ways to report abusive behavior and will take action if community guidelines are being violated. Additionally, contact the school’s channels of authority, as they may have resources or be able to provide support (even if the bullying is happening online). Schools often have partnerships with law enforcement or local organizations to help trace or stop anonymous cyberbullying.

What to Look Out For

Training educators and parents to recognize and respond to red flags that signal a child is being bullied goes a long way. Here are ten key warning signs to look out for:

1. Altered Mood: The student may become depressed, anxious, or show other signs of emotional distress. They may refuse to talk about what is wrong out of fear or shame.
2. Illness and Physical Harm: Students who experience bullying may experience health effects such as headaches and stomachaches. They may also have unexplained cuts, bruises, or scratches.
3. Fear of School: Victims may make excuses to stay home from school or not want to participate in after-school activities. They may be afraid of getting on the bus or take an unusual route to school.
4. Poor Grades: Many bullied students lose interest in school, fall behind in schoolwork, or see their grades slip. They may start avoiding school activities they previously enjoyed.
5. Property Damage: The child may show signs of or report damaged or missing pieces of clothing, books, or other belongings. They may resort to stealing to replace items.
6. Social Isolation: Bullied students often lose friends (sometimes quite suddenly), have trouble making friends, or become withdrawn.
7. Sleeplessness: Anxiety may cause sleeplessness, recurrent bad dreams, and inattention at school.
8. Changes in Appetite: The student's eating habits may change suddenly or drastically, including loss of appetite or binging. This may be a sign of stress, avoiding the cafeteria, or having their lunch money stolen.
9. Decreased Self-Esteem: Bullying can result in lower self-esteem and feelings of helplessness. In middle school, students are more likely to blame themselves rather than those bullying them. This can result in self-destructive behaviors.
10. Aggression: Sometimes, victims may express their feelings by behaving more unreasonably with parents or aggressively towards siblings or other younger children.

Technology Solutions for Bullying Prevention

Schools can benefit from technology-based systems that offer multiple submission methods, ensure confidentiality, and provide diverse support options. STOPit Solutions’ platforms offer a comprehensive approach including the following features:

• Responsive Communication Channels: Empowering students to privately address bullying incidents to prevent immediate harm
• On-Hand Support: Access to professional mental health care services
• Crisis Text Line: Direct connection to trained crisis counselors available 24/7/365
• In-School Solutions: Two-way communication with local school resources
• Training Curriculum: Quality media to educate students and faculty on constructive strategies to manage an array of stressful situations

Implementing Effective Bullying Prevention Programs

Research indicates that effective bullying prevention programs can help significantly reduce bullying at school. The results can be widespread, including reducing school absentee rates, raising student performance, lowering student stress levels, and increasing mental, emotional, and physical health.

When implementing anti-bullying programs, consider including intervention programs, online reporting systems, and ways to increase access to help. Look for an anti-bullying approach that creates a safer, healthier, and more respectful environment that enhances learning processes.

Additional Resources

1. If suicidal ideation is a factor, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital emergency room.
2. The STOMP Out Bullying™ Live HelpChat Line is a free and confidential help chat intended to assist kids and teens over the age of 13 who are victims of bullying and those who may be at-risk for suicide as a result of bullying.
3. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741 for free 24/7 crisis counseling.
4. This List of Bullying and Cyberbullying hotlines offers a range of support for victims of bullying.

Combating Bullying Comprehensively

Sustaining bullying prevention efforts year-round requires integrating anti-bullying strategies into the school culture…

• Schools should implement continuous programs such as peer mentoring, where older students support younger students in handling social issues. 
• Professional development workshops for staff on recognizing and preventing bullying, as well as regular student surveys to monitor the school climate, can also help. 
• Encouraging student-led initiatives and clubs focused on kindness and inclusion helps maintain a great deal of momentum as well. 

National Bullying Prevention Month serves as a catalyst for schools to take proactive steps in combating bullying. By raising awareness, implementing comprehensive prevention programs, and utilizing trusted technology solutions—schools can create safer, more inclusive environments that enhance academic performance and support students' well-being. 

It's crucial to communicate that no child should ever have to endure bullying. Students, teachers, and families can work together to forge an accepting school culture where students stand up for each other and bullying is not tolerated. While October is a focused time for these efforts, the fight against bullying must always continue in order to ensure the safety and success of every young person!