October raises awareness for bullying prevention

With Bullying Awareness Month (October) coming to an end, it is best to understand what bullying really is and how to stop it. Bullying is when a person wants to bring harm upon another person on purpose. This can be verbally, physically, or even through the internet.

There are resources and websites like Stopbulling.gov where you can find out how you can help end bullying. On the site you can take training courses that give scenarios and walk you through the correct and safe ways to get out of them when encountering a bully. It also lets you start petitions and review your states laws against bullying. You can even take surveys to help you figure out if you are a bully or if you are being bullied. 

According to Stopbullying.gov, “Most bullying happens in middle school. The most common types are verbal and social bullying. Between one in four and one in three U.S. students say they have been bullied at school. Many fewer have been cyberbullied.” These numbers are from a 2016 survey given to middle schoolers and high schoolers. 

Bullying happens everyday to thousands of kids around the world. If you see or hear an incident where bullying is happening say something. Go to an adult when you see bullying happening. You could also interact with kids who are being bullied. Listen to them, sit with them on the bus or at lunch. Become their friend and shower them with kindness. These are just some of the things you can do that can change kids’ lives for the better.