Parent’s Guide to Understanding Bullying Article

by JMoorE_8900_nh2024 | Dec 18, 2024 | Family, Parenting

Value Builders International

Parent’s Guide to Understanding Bullying

Understanding Bullying: How to Recognize It and What You Can Do About It

Bullying is something that affects kids everywhere—in schools, online, and even sometimes in friend groups. Whether you’ve experienced it yourself, seen it happen, or are just learning about it, it’s important to know how to recognize bullying, what to do if you see it, and how to make sure you’re always treating others kindly. You have the power to make a positive difference, and learning more about bullying is a big step toward helping others and standing up for what’s right.

What Exactly is Bullying?

Bullying is not just a one-time argument or disagreement. It’s when someone repeatedly treats another person in a way that’s mean, hurtful, or meant to make them feel bad. According to a big study by the National Center for Educational Statistics, about 20% of kids aged 12 to 18 report being bullied in the U.S. (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2022). That means 1 in every 5 kids has experienced bullying at some point, so it’s important to know what it looks like.

Here are some examples of different kinds of bullying:

Verbal Bullying: This includes things like name-calling, teasing, or saying mean things to or about someone.
Physical Bullying: This happens when someone uses their body to hurt or intimidate others, like pushing, hitting, or blocking someone’s way.
Social or Relational Bullying: This involves excluding someone on purpose, spreading rumors, or trying to turn others against them.
Cyberbullying: This happens online, like on social media or through texting, and includes sending mean messages, spreading rumors, or sharing embarrassing photos or videos.

Knowing what bullying is can help you understand when someone is being hurt and needs support. It also reminds us to think about how we treat others.

What to Do if You See Bullying

Seeing someone being bullied can feel uncomfortable or even scary, but know that 57% of bullying situations stop when a friend steps in to help (StopBullying.gov, 2023). That means when someone like you speaks up or reaches out to help, it can make a huge difference. Here are some ways you can help if you see bullying happening:

Be a Friend: Sometimes, the person being bullied just needs someone to stand by them. You don’t have to confront the bully, but you can show support by sitting with them, talking to them, or inviting them to join you.
Speak Up: If you feel safe, tell the person who’s bullying to stop. You might say something like, “Hey, that’s not cool,” or “Please leave them alone.” Sometimes, a simple statement can make a big impact.
Tell an Adult: If the situation feels too hard to handle on your own, don’t hesitate to talk to a teacher, counselor, or another trusted adult. Letting an adult know is a great way to make sure everyone is safe.
Be Kind Online: If you see cyberbullying, you can report the behavior to the platform or website where it’s happening. Also, don’t share or like any hurtful comments. Instead, send a supportive message to the person who’s being bullied.

Remember, helping someone who is being bullied doesn’t mean you have to put yourself in harm’s way. Even small acts of kindness, like giving someone a smile or sitting with them at lunch, can help them feel supported and less alone.

The Importance of Treating Others with Kindness

Just as important as standing up to bullying is making sure you’re not the one causing harm. Sometimes, people bully others because they feel insecure, want to fit in, or don’t know how to handle their emotions. But bullying is never okay. It hurts people and can leave them feeling sad, anxious, or even afraid to go to school. Think about how you would feel if you were on the receiving end.

In the Bible, we’re taught to treat others the way we’d like to be treated. In Ephesians 4:32, it says, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Showing kindness and compassion is part of following God’s example. Matthew 7:12 also reminds us, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them.” This means that every time we treat others with kindness, we’re following a path that makes the world better.

What if You’re the One Doing the Bullying?

If you realize that you might have been acting like a bully—whether by saying mean things, excluding someone, or spreading rumors—it’s okay to admit it. Realizing it is the first step to making things right. Here are some things you can do to make a positive change:

Take Responsibility: Acknowledge that what you did was wrong. Think about how it would feel to be on the other side. Saying sorry might be hard, but it shows courage and can go a long way toward fixing the situation.
Apologize and Make Amends: If possible, say sorry to the person you hurt. Apologizing helps rebuild trust and shows that you’re willing to change. You can say something like, “I’m sorry for how I treated you. I was wrong, and I want to make things better.”
Talk to an Adult: If you’re not sure why you’ve been acting out or if you’re feeling pressured by others, it can be really helpful to talk to a parent, teacher, or counselor. They can give you advice and help you understand how to handle things better.
Practice Kindness and Positivity: Make an effort to be kind and positive toward others, even if you’re having a rough day. Remember that everyone has tough days, and being kind can help them (and you) feel better.

Being a Supportive Friend

One of the best ways to stand up against bullying is to be a supportive friend to others. Studies have shown that kids who have supportive friends feel better about themselves and are less likely to be involved in bullying, either as a bully or a target (American Psychological Association, 2022). Being there for others and showing kindness makes a huge difference.

Getting involved in a youth group or finding a good group of friends can also help. Many churches have youth groups where kids your age can make friends, support each other, and grow in faith. Having friends who share your values makes it easier to be the kind of person you want to be—someone who stands up for others and spreads kindness.

Making the World a Kinder Place

Every day, you have a choice about how you treat others. You can make someone’s day a little better by choosing kindness and standing up for what’s right. When you act with kindness and compassion, you’re doing something powerful—you’re making a difference. So remember to look out for others, treat everyone with respect, and never be afraid to ask for help if you need it. Together, we can make a world where bullying has no place and kindness rules the day.

References

National Center for Educational Statistics. (2022). Student Reports of Bullying in U.S. Schools. Retrieved from https://nces.ed.gov
StopBullying.gov. (2023). Effects of Peer Intervention on Bullying. Retrieved from https://stopbullying.gov
American Psychological Association. (2022). Support Networks and Bullying Behavior in Adolescents. Retrieved from https://apa.org