We can and must help stop bullying

Published 2:00 am Wednesday, March 23, 2016

A survey conducted by the youth nonprofit DoSomething.org suggests that more than 3.2 million students are victims of bullying every year. Seventeen percent of American students report being bullied 2 to 3 times a month or more within a school semester, which results in approximately 160,000 teens skipping school annually.

These statistics are based on what teens have reported, providing no indication of what kinds of incidents go unreported or unnoticed each year.

Bullying certainly isn’t new to the fabric of school-age culture. It’s been around for generations and generations. That doesn’t make it OK, and it certainly doesn’t make it something any child should ever have to experience.

Amid revealing statistics on the subject and recent cases of teen suicides as a result of bullying, no longer is the old adage “sticks and stones” enough.

Today’s increased focus on social media, particularly among young people, only increases the potential for bullying as it is often misused when adults aren’t paying attention.

There are numerous cases that have garnered national headlines, placing more focus on the issue.

Creating awareness of the issue through programs and discussions can help bring warning signs to the forefront for parents, teachers and students alike.

Parents must also remind their children that even though they may not be directly involved, bystanders play a role as well. If they see instances of bullying, they should know that it’s perfectly OK to report it — either to a parent or a teacher or school administrator, but most importantly to some adult. They must be reminded that even if they are involved only peripherally — by laughing or watching the events transpire, their presence, coupled with peer pressure may actually encourage the aggressive student to continue the acts of bullying.

On the same note, parents must also know the signs of a bully and work to dissuade this type of behavior in their own children to ensure they never end up playing the role of an aggressor.

Everyone — adults, educators and students must play a role in preventing this unacceptable behavior.