When working with the Child Advocacy Center over the summer, the Ambassadors worked on identifying helpful ways to decrease bullying in our schools. James Patton, a sophomore, discusses how to be an "Anti-Bully," to help eliminate bullying throughout our schools:
Bullying is everywhere. It happens around us everyday. It's universal, and it happens to almost everyone. Bullying can be a range of things from beating someone up, to telling them they look, "Fat" on a picture they posted online.
Every bully has an audience. Someone they are trying to appeal to. People often bully because they feel like they need to be in control. This can be from abuse or past bullying. You can help prevent bullying by removing the bully's audience. You can do this by getting an adult, or a figure of authority. Preventing bullying is all about being an "Upstander."
You can also prevent bullying by helping the victim. Make sure they have a strong sense of self. If they know who they are, they won't take the bullying. They will push it off and it won't affect them as much. It doesn't take much to make a difference in someone's life. Instead of being a bystander, be an upstander.
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Editor's note: James Patton contributed to this article for Amanda Childs, social worker for Pea Ridge Schools. The views expressed are those of the authors. Childs can be reached at [email protected].
Editorial on 09/21/2016