When you were in school, have you ever heard the expression “Words can’t slow me down?” Those words are irrelevant to the current situation. Three out of four children admit to having been teased or bullied. Bullying and pranking can sometimes seem similar, the difference is in the intentions of the perpetrator.
Trolling will turn into bullying if the action is carried out repeatedly and is based on awareness to hurt or injure other people. Bullying is one of the biggest problems in school. The percentage of students in the United States who report bullying at least once a week has increased steadily since 1999, according to FBI data. Bullying can make children feel hurt, scared, lonely, and sad. In addition, this problem can make children feel threatened and reluctant to come to school. Here are some tips for dealing with school bullies.
First Point: Complaint to Someone
Report acts of bullying and threats to the school
Notify teachers, principals, and other school employees. These individuals have the power to intervene and help stop bullying. Sometimes, bullies will stop when the teacher knows what they are doing so they don’t get into trouble.
1. Teachers are very important people when you are the victim of bullying. They can provide protection from bullying by letting you hang out in class during recess or by having a child stay with you the whole time ( buddy system ).
2. It is very important to report acts of bullying to schools because other children may become victims of the same perpetrator.
Report the bullying that happened to a parent or someone you trust
If you are being bullied, it is very important to talk to an adult about it first.
1. Tell the complete chronology to your parents. Parents will definitely want to help and know about your condition. In addition, your parents may be able to contact the school to prevent the bullying from happening again. This is important, especially if you feel reluctant to talk to your teacher out of fear that the bully will retaliate.
2. It’s best to record everything that happens in your diary. This way, parents and other adults can find out what’s going on specifically.
Don’t be afraid to complain
Complaining to adults does not mean weak. Bullying is not a small or trivial matter; the act was wrong and the victims or witnesses of the bullying should report the matter.
1. Remember that you cannot solve bullying problems alone. No one can, not even adults. Asking for help is the best way to deal with violence, bullying, harassment, or assault.
Speak openly about acts of bullying
Just talking about personal experiences can bring relief to you. Reliable people to turn to include a school counselor, sibling, or friend. They may be able to provide effective solutions, but still cannot replace the role of parents or the school. Just tell me what you’re going through so you don’t feel alone.
1. Some children report that peer counseling programs at school are helpful.
Second Point: Avoiding Bullying
Improve your quality
Ask yourself what makes you look and feel great. Hone your strengths, talents, and goals.
1. For example, do you want to feel healthier? If so, you may need to watch less television and exercise more often.
2. Feeling satisfied with yourself will make you feel more confident and can help you respect yourself more. It will also make you feel more secure at school and less afraid to deal with people who bully you.
3. Spend time with friends who are positive influences. Exercising or participating in a club are great activities that can help build positive friendships and self-confidence.
Avoid the bully as much as possible
Don’t give him the opportunity to bully you by avoiding him as much as possible.
1. Remember the places where you often met the bully. Avoid these places.
2. Take a different route from home to school, as well as a different route when doing activities on the school grounds.
3. Don’t skip class or hide. You have the right to come to school and get an education.
Use buddy-system
If you’re trying to prevent bullying, remember that two people are stronger than one. For example, walk with one or a few friends to school, and hang out with them at recess. In other words, make sure you always have friends with you if you run into a bully at school.
1. If you have friends, remember to be a friend to other victims of bullying. Offer to support a friend who is having bullying issues. Take action immediately if a friend becomes a victim of bullying; in the end, you know how hard it is to be a victim of bullying. Report the problem to an adult and accompany your friend who is being bullied, and ask the bully to stop his behavior. Support those who are being bullied with words and kindness.
Stand up straight and stay calm
Sometimes, pretending to be brave is enough to stop the bully from approaching and intimidating you.
1. By standing straight and not looking down, you are sending the message that you are not someone to be trifled with.
2. It’s easier to act and venture out when you feel confident and satisfied with yourself. It is also trainable. Practice walking straight up, looking at people, and greeting acquaintances on the street. Practice using a strong, assertive tone of voice (without shouting). Remember, a lot of practice will make you proficient.
Ignore the bully if he says or does something to you
As much as possible, try to ignore the bully’s threats. Pretend you didn’t hear it and get away from it to a safer place.
1. Bullies are always looking for a reaction from their victims. Pretending you don’t hear or care (even though you’re feeling really upset inside) may just stop the bully’s behavior because he isn’t getting the reaction he wants.
Third Point: Defend Yourself
Say No! in Loud
” Tell the bully “No! Stop it!” in a loud, firm voice, then walk away if necessary.
1. Defending the bully by saying “No” will send the message that you are not afraid and do not accept the treatment. Bullies tend to target children who lack self-confidence and those who are willing to accept inappropriate treatment and do whatever they tell them to do.
2. Number always reflects strength. Children can defend each other from bullies who are frightening or pranking their victims, then walk away from the place together.
Understand that you have the right not to be bullied
It’s not your fault you’re the victim of bullying. You, just like everyone, have the right to feel safe.
Don’t look back
Don’t hit, kick, or push the bully to defend himself or your friend. Fighting back will make the bully happy because it shows that he managed to piss you off.
1. Fighting back can also be dangerous. If you fight the bully and win, you might feel like a champ and turn into the bully. Someone can get hurt and you will get into trouble. Stay with others, keep yourself safe, and seek help from a nearby adult.
Control your feelings
Plan ahead. How do you stop yourself from getting angry or showing that you are upset?
1. Try to distract yourself. Count backward from 100, sing your favorite song in your head, spell a word backward, etc. Keep your mind occupied until you manage to get out of the situation and control your feelings and not give the bully the reaction he wants.
Last and Fourth Point: Eliminating Bullying in Schools
Take real action
It takes more than signs of bullying-free areas in schools to create a truly clean environment.
1. Change the way students see other students. For example, creating an anti-bullying program may need to be accompanied by developing a lesson plan so that the child can learn the behavior of other children, especially those who come from different backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures, and have unique learning styles and abilities. Teachers can also teach cooperation by giving assignments in groups so students can learn to mingle and adapt without depending on others.
2. Rules relating to bullying and its consequences should be clearly discussed and posted on school grounds, given to parents, and posted in local newspapers to create collective awareness of the problem. This will trigger a transformation on a large scale.
Get everyone to work together
All elements of the school – teachers, administrative officers and students – must agree to make the school a bullying-free zone.
1. People who are not directly involved with schools should also participate, for example school bus drivers, and receive training in dealing with acts of bullying.
Perform broader surveillance
Most acts of bullying at school occur in areas that are rarely supervised by adults, such as the school shuttle bus, cafeteria, bathrooms, classroom hallways, and storage areas.
1. Schools need to secure the area by tightening supervision through additional officers or using security techniques, such as installing surveillance cameras.
2. Schools can also provide a complaint service anonymously, for example through a suggestion box or a special telephone line so that students can send short messages or voice messages.