October is Bullying Prevention Awareness Month and if you don’t believe it’s a real problem, then think again!
September 13, 2013: The Blaze:
Credit: WSTP
For nearly a year, as many as 15 girls ganged up on 12-year-old Rebecca Ann Sedwick and picked on her, authorities say, bombarding her with online messages such as “You should die” and “Why don’t you go kill yourself.”
Rebecca couldn’t take it anymore.
She changed one of her online screen names to “That Dead Girl.” She messaged a boy in North Carolina: “I’m jumping.” And then, on Monday, the Lakeland girl went to an abandoned concrete plant, climbed a tower and hurled herself to her death.
The Facts
As unbelievable as it is, bullying is a real problem in our own communities and schools. Kids today face more risks of bullying than every before – thanks to technology.
- 28% of US students in grades 6-12 experienced bullying.
- 20% of US students in grades 9-12 experienced bullying.
- Approximately 30% of young people admit to bullying others in surveys.
- 71% of young people say they have seen bullying in their schools.
- 71% of school staff have seen bullying!
- When bystanders intervene, bullying stops within 10 seconds 57% of the time.
- The most common types of bullying are verbal and social. Physical bullying happens less often.
- Most bullying takes place in school, outside on school grounds, and on the school bus. Bullying also happens wherever kids gather in the community. And of course, cyberbullying occurs on cell phones and online.
- Only about 20 to 30% of students who are bullied notify adults about the bullying.
- There is no Federal anti-bullying law. Although 49 states have anti-bullying legislation, bullying is not illegal.
Click here for references for above statistics.
Cyberbullying
As we all know, cyberbullying has taken bullying to a whole new level.
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology and social media. Electronic technology includes devices and equipment such as cell phones, computers, and tablets as well as communication tools including social media sites, text messages, chat, and websites.
Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. It can happen 2 hours a day, 7 days a week and reaches kids everywhere, anytime. The recent suicide of a 12-year old girl underscores how crucial it is to prevent bullying.
Cyberbullying can also lead to other high-risk behaviors for kids in addition to potential suicide:
- Alcohol and drugs
- Skipping schools
- Unwilling to attend school at all
- Poor grades
- Low self-esteem
- Health problems
Get Help
If you believe your child is being bullied (or is a bully!), get help fast. Don’t wait! It is a real problem in Virginia. A valuable source of anti-bullying and helpful information is StopBullying.gov. Other resources include:
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline online or at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Mental health resources (click here to local resources)
- School counselors or teachers
- Virginia.gov
- PACER National Bullying Prevention Center
- Virginia Department of Education
- Safe Schools
- Anti-bullying Network
- Stop Text Bully
- Cyberbullying Help
- Stand Up Against Bullying
- “Finding Kind” Documentary – Girl-Against-Girl Bullying Documentary
- The Bully Project
Be sure your child know what to do if he or she is being bullied and talk openly with him/her about it. Help him find resources and help to combat bullying in the best way possible. Build a safe and supportive environment.
Kids are vulnerable to bullying – but with a supportive and open environment, they are more likely to come forward when bullying is an issue. Make it easier for kids by giving them the facts, information, love, and support they need.
