Emily's+Persuasive

Bullying is a BIG PROBLEM Every day thousands of teens wake up afraid to go to school. Bullying is a problem that affects millions of students, and it has everyone worried. Parents, teachers and other adults do not always see it so they may not realize (1) how serious and extreme bullying can get but (2) how to handle it if their loved one is being bullied. Kids who bully usually pick on someone who is weaker or more alone, and they repeat actions over and over. Bullying can take many forms including:

Physical harm: hitting, shoving or tripping.

Emotional harm: making fun of the way child acts, looks, talks, writing mean things about someone in emails or blogs. Cyber bullying has become extremely common between teens. This means using high-tech devices to spread rumors, send hurtful messages or pictures. Emotional bullying leaves no bruises but the damage is just as real. Bullying Prevention Tips:

Students: 1. if being bullied tell your parents. Telling is not tattling

2. Tell a trusted teacher, counselor, principal or have your parents talk to the school

3. Do not retaliate or “get even”

4. Respond evenly and firmly or say nothing and walk away

5. Develop friendships and stick up for each other

6. Act confident

7. Take a different route to and from school

8. Avoid unsupervised areas of school

9. Do not ring expensive items to school

Parents: 1. Encourage your child to share problems with you, knowing it is not tattling

2. Praise and encourage your child – a confident child is less likely to be bullied

3. Help your child develop new friendships – new peers can provide a new chance

4. Maintain contact with your child’s school. Keep a detailed record of bullying episodes and communication with the school.

5. Encourage your child to participate in sports or physical activities to improve self-esteem.

Schools: 1. Establish a bullying prevention committee

2. Create a long-term anti- bullying plan and raise school and community awareness and involvement

3. Use student surveys to determine if there is a bullying problem

4. Involve parents and families in planning, discussions and action plans

5. Establish classroom rules against bullying

6. Create positive and negative consequences regarding bullying

7. Initiate serious talks with bullies and victims of bullying