Years ago, kids and teens might get mad and say “I’m going to kill you” and not really mean it. Today however, they might. The threat is no longer idle. Bullying and cyberbullying have grown to alarming proportions and have become major risks in today’s society. This is the new form of violence against children of all ages.
Parents, teachers and other adults interfacing with children often do not recognize bullying or if they do, don’t know how to stop it. Adults need to recognize the problem when it happens, help redirect negative behaviors and empower victims. Bystanders need to get involved.
Our culture needs to change from conflict to compassion. Parents and teachers need to teach kindness and respect and show our children they are valued and protected.
Over the past few years, there has been an international movement to try to stem the tide of bullying. The month of October has been deemed National Bullying Prevention Month as a focal point of these efforts to combat the negative attitudes and actions of bullies.
Many organizations have become proactive in different ways to lend their support and provide direction and programs for more awareness of the seriousness of bullying.
Many organizations support anti-bullying programs
October is the month when communities around the world come together to raise awareness for bullying prevention.
Events and activities are planned by thousands of communities, schools, organizations, and individuals across the globe to emphasize the importance of anti-bullying.
Many organizations are involved in heading the efforts for bullying prevention including PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center and STOMP Out Bullying™.
PACER encourages students, parents, and others around the world to become more aware of the seriousness of bullying and its consequences. It was created to not only raise awareness but also change the culture surrounding bullying. It is no longer considered a harmless rite of passage for children. It can lead to school avoidance, decreased self-esteem, depression, and even self-harm, according to Julie Herzog, director of the PACER National Bullying Prevention Center.
STOMP Out Bullying™ is well known as a leading national anti-bullying and cyberbullying organization for kids and teens in the U.S. It was initially created as the signature program of Love Our Children USA, established in 1999.
STOMP Out Bullying™ focuses on issues like bullying, cyberbullying, sexting and other digital abuse, and it educates against homophobia, LGBTQ discrimination, racism, violence, and hatred in schools, online and in communities throughout the country. It promotes civility, inclusion, and equality throughout the country and beyond.
There are many partners of STOMP Out Bullying™ and it would be difficult to name all of them but they include ABC and ABC Family, Aeropostale, Armour Foods, ESPN, Fox Sports Supports, Hollister, iHeartMedia, JCPenney, Planet Fitness and Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
A month of themes and activities
Every October, schools and organizations across the country join STOMP Out Bullying™ in observing National Bullying Prevention Month. The goal is to encourage communities to work together to stop bullying and cyberbullying by increasing awareness of the prevalence and impact of bullying on all children of all ages. Similarly, PACER supports national recognition of bullying with activities and events across the country.
Monday, October 2nd: Blue shirt day
Anti-bullying activities in October kick off with a signature campaign: Blue Shirt Day. The first Monday in October is designated as World Day of Bullying Prevention™. There will be public service announcements about this date from featured celebrities.
The week of October 9th: Make new friends week
Many children know what it’s like to feel left out or isolated. The week of October 9th is designated as the Make New Friends Week, and students are encouraged to seek out someone they don’t know very well and show some kindness. They can make a difference in someone else’s life. And it could be a life-saving difference.
October 11th: National Coming Out Day
We are not all the same, and our differences are our strengths as a nation and society. On October 11th, National Coming Out Day, there is special recognition and celebration of those who come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ).
The week of October 16th: Stand up for others week
The week of October 16 is devoted to continuing the initiatives of National Coming Out Day by celebrating all cultures and conditions including African Americans, Asians, Muslims, mentally or physically challenged, gifted and talented, and more.
The week of October 23rd: Inclusion week
This the week that everyone is encouraged to seek out those who feel isolated and make them feel comfortable. Students are asked to make sure “no one eats alone.” And students are asked to invite other students who may be less popular to join in school activities with them.
During after-school activities, students can bring others to their clubs and activities and give them a new experience, perhaps opening up new doors and areas of enjoyment for them.
When on the school bus, students can sit by someone new or by someone they normally don’t sit with, find out more about that student, share information, make a new friend.
Wednesday, October 25th: PACER’s National Unity Day (color it orange)
On October 25th, everyone will be wearing orange to represent National Unity Day. This is the day when students, educators, families, TV personalities, and others will wear orange to represent the message of support, hope, and unity that reflects the togetherness everyone seeks. Anyone can participate in this effort to promote kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. Students throughout the country will be wearing orange tee-shirts on that day to increase awareness of the event and the purpose.
The week of October 30th: Conversation week
The final week is dedicated to opening up conversations about bullying and cyberbullying and how it can ruin the lives of victims. Discussions should be held on what it must be like to be different or isolated or depressed. Many organizations offer discussion toolkits and websites to support these kinds of discussions and suggest activities that go along with the themes for the month.
The goal of these discussions is to share feelings and experiences which might help the schools become more judgment and bully-free. Bullying has no place in our educational systems and no place in our society. The programs, activities, resources, and supporters of National Bullying Prevention Week will be trying to make a difference, hopefully, one that will carry forward into the future.
