Bullying: Not Like Old Fashion Fighting Anymore

Original post from 2014

In this social media world, kids form ideas of what is right and wrong. They learn from The Nons as I call them. People you think you know from social media may not be who they are. They are not your friends, I don’t think many long-term relationships start here. The reality is that kids’ self-esteem is affected by bullying especially online, which can be nasty.

I was bullied, it started in 6th grade when a rumor was started saying I said something negative about my friend’s cliff palate. Of course, it wasn’t true but that’s how some bullying starts. I was harassed walking home from school and got hit in the back of my head with a coke bottle. I was teased about braces at 12 years old, and the antics continued until I moved to my father’s which meant another school. In eighth grade, I wasn’t bullied. I learned from prior experiences and how to hold my shoulders back.

Social Media is scary to me because many people look at people and say how are skinny and have to do the same. This is where low self-esteem can start. Then sometimes they forget the influencers and they make money on every click Worse yet there are still too many pornographic posts across all platforms.

Children make impressions from day one and share positive language and affirmations. Many people are lonely and looking to make friends, fake friends I remind you. The HUGE problem is you have no idea of the motives of a stranger. I have seen what teens will do.

Teens who are reading and talking, talking trash yourself.  They are blinded and don’t realize they’re in trouble or possibly worse.

It’s a total crap shoot and that is why parents have to set hard rules for all kid’s time on the phone, take their fun away, and monitor their computer usage and read some text.  After that y

Bullying: Resources for How to Get Help

This documentary explores America’s teen-bullying epidemic. Millions of kids are relentlessly demeaned and physically attacked at school every day. Parents of victims and educators say that a change must take place and everyone can help. Below is a list of resources to help stop bullying and cyberbullying.

For Everyone:

The Bully Project, and ‘Billy’ Movie: The documentary film that sparked a nationwide movement to stop bullying offers stories of those who were bullies and resources for parents, teachers, kids, and communities on how to deal with and stop bullies on their website. “Bully,” which follows the lives of five U.S. students who faced bullying daily at school, including two who committed suicide as a result, will be in theaters on March 30, 2012.

Stop Bullying Now!:

A resource website sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services that addresses the warning signs of bullying, how to talk about bullies, how to report bullies and cyberbullying and offers a 24-hour help hotline for victims at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

For Children and Teens:

Teens Against Bullying: Specifically created to help teens learn about bullying, how to appropriately respond to it, and how to prevent it.

Kids Against Bullying: This was specifically created to help elementary school children learn about bullying, how to appropriately respond to it, and how to prevent it.

STOMP Out Bullying!: A national anti-bullying and cyberbullying program for kids and teens.

National Youth Advocacy Coalition: An advocacy organization for young people.

Trevor Project: A national organization that provides crisis intervention and suicide prevention for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender,and questioning youth. They also offer the Trevor Lifeline, a 24-hour, national crisis and suicide prevention hotline for LGBTQ youth. The number is 1-866-4-U-Trevor.

For Parents and Teachers:

PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: Offers resources for how to teach kids of all ages about bullying, state laws and what parents can do if their child is being bullied, and peer advocacy groups.

Education.com: Bullying at School and Online: A resource for both teachers and parents on how to help a bullied child.

Teaching Tolerance: Bullying: Offers guidelines and activities for teachers to help teach students K-12 about bullies.

The Human Rights Campaign’s Welcoming Schools Guide: A guide to help school administrators, educators, and parents or caring adults make sure that their elementary schools welcome all students and families. Targeted at addressing family diversity, gender stereotyping, and name-calling in K-5th grades.

GLSEN, Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network: Works with school officials to ensure that transgender, gay, and lesbian students are not harassed or bullied.

Family Acceptance Project: Launched out of the Marian Wright Edelman Institute at San Francisco State University, this organization works to decrease major health and related risks for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) youth.

I hope the recourses are of help. 

Melinda