Stop bullying with these tips Schools nationwide recently received a letter from the Department of Education to support educators in combating bullying. But teachers and parents can't be everywhere.
That's why we liked the guidelines at www.bullyinginfo.org, set up by several federal agencies. They provide good advice on preventing and dealing with bullies and are geared to kids as well as the grown-ups who want to protect them.
Most important, if you're being bullied or know someone who is, tell an adult. Here are other tips from the site:
1. Don't fight back or try to bully the people who want to bully you.
2. If you can, calmly tell the bully to stop, or say nothing and walk away. "Calmly" is the key word.
3. Use humor, if you are able to. If a student makes fun of your shirt, laugh and say, "Yeah, I think this shirt is kind of funny-looking, too." No, your shirt isn't funny-looking -- but you have just robbed the culprits of getting satisfaction from their mean-spirited intentions.
4. Try to avoid situations in which bullying might happen. If you can, avoid areas of school where not many students or teachers are around. What's more, try to hang out with your friends at lunch, between classes and after school.
Responding to cyberbullying can be more challenging because antagonizers can remain anonymous. The government's Stop Bullying Now! website has great information to help parents address cyberbullying (www.stopbullyingnow.hrsa.gov).
