Today (8th October) is National Stop Bullying Day in the USA. This day is observed annually on the second Wednesday in October as part of Bullying Prevention Month. National Stop Bullying Day was first started by PACER in 2006 in response to research that found 1 in 5 children each year are being bullied.
How to get involved
Raise awareness
Bullying can take different forms. The NSPCC lists several on its website:
- physical bullying: hitting, slapping or pushing someone
- verbal bullying: name calling, gossiping or threatening someone
- non-verbal abuse: hand signs or text messages
- emotional abuse: threatening, intimidating or humiliating someone
- exclusion: ignoring or isolating someone
- undermining, constant criticism or spreading rumours
- controlling or manipulative behaviour
- making silent, hoax or abusive calls.
In addition, it defines specific types of bullying that are also hate crimes: these are racial, sexual, transphobic or homophobic bullying or bullying someone because they have a disability.
Understanding these different forms of bullying and their impact is important and can inform conversations you have with students and other staff, helping raise awareness and clarify different types of harm. Equally, it’s important to understand and inform on the impacts of bullying, not just at that moment in time but how the experience can continue to cause hurt.
Lead by example
Speak and act with kindness, and challenge disrespectful behaviour. Role model respectful behaviour to students in the ways you not only interact with them but other staff members and parents/carers.
Become a trusted person for students (and staff) to raise concerns with. Work through scenarios with students and ask them to consider impact and how they would respond. Build an inclusive environment where all members of the school community belong.
Learn more about National Stop Bullying Day.
How does NetSupport help prevent bullying?
In order for students to learn, they need to be in an environment where they feel safe. Using our powerful online safety solutions helps schools and districts ensure students are protected by providing innovative tools to help monitor concerning activity, identify vulnerable students, and empower students to support their own mental health and wellbeing with helpful resources.
Discover the benefits of our online safety solutions. Plus, you can try them for free in your school for 30 days to see exactly how our software can help prevent bullying.