How to prevent the bullying”? International Day Against Bullying

May 2 marks International Day Against Crime. Bullying. This anniversary established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), seeks increase awareness of a growing problem within schools, in addition to offering support and reminding them that they are not alone, to those children and adolescents who suffer from it.

According to UNESCO, around the world, at least 1 in 3 children has suffered bullying from their peers. Based on this, it is important to provide tools to prevent and stop it. In this way, parents, students and teachers can commit to turning campuses into a safe community.

Happens that Bullying affects the mental and physical health of victims, and may interfere with their academic progress. If you are interested in knowing what measures to take from different fronts to address this situation, we invite you to continue reading.

These are the types of bullying

We do not have to wait for the International Day Against Bullying to talk about bullying. We refer to the aggressive and repetitive behavior directed towards a minor, whether by an individual or a group. These harmful acts usually seek attention, recognition or popularity.

A study published in the journal Option points out that victims develop low self-esteem, which can generate feelings of inferiority, rebellion, aggression, fear and depression, among others.

Besides, Bullying is not limited to actions such as pushing or hitting. There are various types of bullying towards others who also cause harm. Let’s look at the most common ones:

• Indirect physical harassment: breaking or stealing belongings, hiding things from the victim.
• Direct physical harassment: hitting, pushing or any form of unwanted physical contact.
• Direct verbal harassment: use insults, degrading nicknames or other forms of offensive language.
• Indirect verbal harassment: speak ill of someone behind their back, spread rumors or gossip to damage their reputation.
• Social harassment: excluding someone from the group, ignoring their opinions, or not allowing them to participate in joint activities.
• Cyberacious: It is carried out through digital means, such as social networks, text messages or emails, and may include insults, defamation, constant intimidation or the dissemination of images or private information without consent.

He bullying It is a form of violence, discrimination and denies rights. It should never be accepted, minimized or made invisible.

Learn to read the signs to detect if someone is a victim of bullying

Knowing if a child or adolescent is bullied at school may be difficult, given that they often do not communicate what they experience. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as feeling powerless, fear of being labeled a gossip, or fear of retaliation from bullies.

Added to this is the worry of being judged by adults, perceiving that they could be seen as weak or feeling that no one understands their situation. However, according to Unicef ​​and the Stop Bullying organization, there are signs that would indicate a problem at school. Some of these signs include:

• Anguish or apathy.
• Humor changes.
• Unexplained injuries.
• Desire to change schools.
• Passive or provocative reactions.
• Poor academic performance.
• Low self-esteem, insecurity or shyness.
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares.
• Simulation of illnesses to miss classes.
• Loss or damage to important belongings.
• Imitation of the behavior of bullies.
• Social isolation and lack of support in social networks.
• Comments about suicide and self-harm, in more serious cases.
• Lack of interest in schoolwork and sports activities.
• Changes in relationships with friends and classmates.
• Unusual eating behaviors, such as binge eating or skipping meals.

If you notice any of these signs in your child, sibling, or someone else close to you, it’s important to address the problem proactively. Keeping the lines of communication open is essential to creating an environment where they feel safe talking about their experiences and seeking help when necessary.

Write down prevention strategies

School must be a safe environment for all students. However, for many children it becomes a place of violence due to the harassment they face from their peers.

Therefore, within the framework of the International Day Against Bullying, it is important to ask ourselves what to do from different fronts, such as the family, the teachers and the students themselves, with the aim of preventing this problem. Here are some tips.

If you are a father

Bullying It should not be seen as a simple dispute between classmates, nor as a necessary experience to strengthen the character of children. It is a harmful behavior that requires serious attention from parents and the family in general. These are some measures you can take to avoid bullying:

• Teaches the importance of treating others with respect and tolerance from a young age.
• It equips children with skills to deal with bullying, such as assertiveness and conflict resolution.
• Familiarize yourself with the platforms your child uses, explain the risks online and how to protect themselves from cyberbullying.
• Be a role model. Show your children how to treat others with kindness and the importance of not tolerating offenses.
• Talk to your children as much as you can about bullying, so they will feel more comfortable telling you if they see it or experience it.
• Maintain open communication with your children. Be interested in their feelings, talk to them regularly, and actively listen to their concerns at school.

If you are a teacher

In the school environment, Teachers play an important role in preventing bullying. Below, we present strategies that educators can implement in order to promote a safe school environment:

• Establish clear standards of behavior that encourage respect and empathy towards colleagues.
• Pay attention to social dynamics in the classroom and on the playground, intervening quickly with any signs of bullying.
• Cultivate an environment of trust and openness, and practice active listening with your students. This involves paying attention to their concerns, emotions and experiences, which will allow them to feel understood and valued.
• It teaches and reinforces the values ​​of respect, compassion and kindness, as well as assertive communication and emotional management. When you plant those seeds of patience, peace and acceptance, they grow in your students.
• Promotes a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. Design activities and projects that promote collaboration and camaraderie. Additionally, propose discussions on topics related to respect, diversity and inclusion.
• Have open and frequent communication with your students’ families. Inform parents about school policies and procedures related to bullying and provide them with guidance and resources to support their children.

The responsibility of educational institutions is to create a route of action in cases of bullying.

If you are a student

Regarding the International Day Against BullyingIf you are a student you have the opportunity to reflect on your role in promoting a harmonious classroom free of harassment. Empowering yourself in this role, it is possible to take the following actions:

• Do not judge: Avoid pointing out others based on their origin, social status, appearance, race or sexual orientation. Remember the wise saying: “Do not do to others what you would not like them to do to you.”
• Seeks to resolve conflicts in a peaceful and constructive manner: Reject violence when faced with problems in the classroom with your classmates, remember that being violent is never the solution.
• Report the facts: If you witness a case of harassment, whether virtual or within the institution, notify the school authorities. Talking about what is happening is essential to stop this form of aggression and provide support to victims.
• Show support and solidarity: To those who are bullied at school, offer your company during recess, be kind and understanding and show that you are there to help. Your support can make a big difference in the life of those who suffer these violent treatments.
• Organize talks on the topic: Activities at school are also appropriate to raise awareness about this problem. You can collaborate with your teachers on anti-bullying campaigns, panel discussions, or film screenings about bullying and its impact.
• Promotes a pleasant atmosphere: Both in the classroom and in the school in general, everyone should feel welcome and accepted. Invite others to participate in group activities, accompany those who are lonely at lunch, and advocate for those who are excluded.

Contribute to eradicating this form of violence

From home, Parents can play an important role in building a culture of peace in which respect, empathy and inclusion are promoted. Educating about these values ​​from an early age provides the foundation to confront bullying effectively.

On the other hand, At school, the establishment of solid communicative bridges between students, teachers and parents is essential. This facilitates the design and implementation of effective pedagogical strategies that promote a safe school environment. Tolerance in the classroom creates an environment conducive to learning and the personal development of students.

By providing the tools to confront bullying, it is possible to work so that children can function safely at school, their second home. On this International Day Against BullyingLet us renew our commitment to ending this type of violence.

The entry How to prevent bullying? International Day Against Bullying was first published in Psycom.Blog.

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