By Bullying is a growing problem in classrooms around the world. We share prevention strategies that you can adopt if you are a parent, teacher or student.
May 2nd is the International Day Against Bullying . This event, established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), seeks to raise awareness about a growing problem in schools, as well as to offer support and remind children and adolescents who suffer from it that they are not alone.
According to UNESCO, around the world, at least 1 in 3 children has been bullied by their peers. Unfortunately, this phenomenon affects the mental and physical health of the victims, and may interfere with their academic progress. Based on this, it is important to provide tools to prevent and stop it from different fronts. In this way, parents, students and teachers can commit to making schools a safe community.
Know the types of bullying
There is no need to wait for International Day Against Bullying to talk about bullying , as it is an everyday reality. The term refers to aggressive and repetitive behavior directed toward a minor, whether by an individual or a group. These harmful acts usually seek attention, recognition or popularity.
A study published in the journal Opción indicates that victims develop low self-esteem, which can generate feelings of inferiority, rebellion, aggression, fear and depression, among others.
Bullying is not limited to actions such as pushing or hitting. There are various types of bullying towards others that 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: using insults , derogatory nicknames, or other offensive language.
- Indirect verbal harassment: talking badly about someone behind their back, spreading rumors or gossip to damage their reputation.
- Social bullying: excluding someone from the group, ignoring their opinions or not allowing them to participate in joint activities.
- Cyberbullying – This is carried out through digital means such as social media, text messages or emails and can include name-calling, defamation, constant intimidation or the sharing of private images or information without consent.
Bullying is a form of violence, discrimination and denial of 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 whether a child or adolescent is being bullied at school can be difficult, as they often do not communicate what they are experiencing. This can be due to a variety of reasons, such as feeling powerless, fear of being labelled a gossip, or fear of retaliation from the bullies. Added to this is the concern of being judged by adults, thinking that they might be seen as weak, or feeling that no one understands their situation.
Although these factors may make it difficult to detect, according to Unicef and the Stop Bullying organization, there are clues or warning signs in victims that usually indicate a problem at school. These can include:
- Anxiety or apathy.
- Mood swings.
- Unexplained injuries.
- Desire to change schools.
- Passive or provocative reactions.
- Poor academic performance.
- Low self-esteem , insecurity or shyness.
- Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares.
- Pretending to be sick to avoid classes.
- Loss or damage to important belongings.
- Imitation of the behavior of bullies .
- Social isolation and lack of support on 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 classroom peers.
- Unusual eating behaviors, such as binge eating or skipping meals.
If you notice any of these signs in your child, sibling, or someone close to them, it’s important to proactively address the issue. Keeping the lines of communication open is key to creating an environment where they feel safe to talk about their experiences and seek help when needed.
Note the prevention strategies
School should be a safe environment for all students. However, for many children it becomes a place of violence due to the bullying they face from their peers.
In the context of the International Day Against Bullying , it is important to ask ourselves what we can do from different fronts, such as the family, teachers and students themselves, in order to prevent this problem. Below, we offer you some advice.
If you are a father
Bullying should not be seen as a simple dispute between classmates, nor as a necessary experience to strengthen children’s character. It is a harmful behavior that requires serious attention from parents and the family in general. Here are some steps you can take to prevent bullying :
- Teaches the importance of treating others with respect and tolerance from a young age .
- Provides children with coping skills 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 about bullying as much as possible so they will feel more comfortable telling you about it if they see it or experience it.
- Maintain open communication with your children. Take an interest 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 are strategies that educators can implement to promote a safe school environment:
- Establish clear standards of behavior that encourage respect and empathy toward colleagues.
- Pay attention to social dynamics in the classroom and on the playground, intervening quickly at any sign 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.
- Teach and reinforce 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.
- Foster a sense of community and belonging in the classroom. Design activities and projects that promote collaboration and camaraderie. Also, encourage discussions on topics related to respect, diversity, and inclusion.
- Maintain 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 course of action in cases of bullying.
If you are a student
As an active part of the school environment, you have the opportunity to reflect on your role in promoting a harmonious and bullying-free classroom. By empowering yourself in this role, you can take the following actions:
- Don’t 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.”
- Seek 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 incident: If you witness bullying, whether online or at school, report it to school authorities. Talking about what is happening is essential to stopping this form of aggression and providing support to victims.
- Show support and solidarity: For 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 lives of those who suffer from this violent treatment.
- Organise talks on the topic: Activities at school to raise awareness about this issue are also useful. You can collaborate with your teachers on anti-bullying campaigns, discussion panels or film screenings about bullying and its impact.
- Foster a friendly atmosphere: In the classroom and at school in general, everyone should feel welcome and accepted. Invite others to participate in group activities, accompany those who are lonely during lunch, and stand up for those who are excluded.
Help eradicate this form of violence
At home, parents can play an important role in building a culture of peace where respect, empathy and inclusion are fostered. Educating about these values from an early age provides the foundation for confronting bullying effectively.
On the other hand, at school, it is essential to establish strong communication bridges between students, teachers and parents. 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 deal with bullying, we can work to ensure that children can function safely at school, their second home. On this International Day Against Bullying , let us renew our commitment to ending this type of violence.