BCPS will celebrate Bullying Prevention Week October 21-25. To recognize Bullying Prevention Week, BCPS is encouraging students and staff to wear a designated color for each day of the week. The color represents character traits that all people can demonstrate to be kind and empathetic to one another. They are also encouraging staff and students to share photos on social media using #BCPSCares throughout the week.
Some of us know all too well how it feels to be bullied, and it’s never pretty. It takes multiple forms- physical, verbal, and social, all of which are dangerous to an individual’s confidence. It’s an unforgiving cycle of mental torture that no one is safe from.
Bullying unfortunately is something that has been around a long time, and continues to still be a strong problem for school children of all ages. What people should do as a whole is do their best to quell the issue but some question if people are really doing their best to address the issue.
Bullying is a major problem that causes immense damage to its victims and their families. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in five students report being bullied and 160,000 students have reported skipping school due to bullying. The Cyberbullying Research Center has reported that in 2023, bullying reports have increased by 25%.
Schools across the country have implemented rules to prevent bullying and raise awareness, but with the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, bullying has become an even more complex issue, as it has now shifted from in-person to cyberbullying.
Schools have implemented anti-bullying policies and programs to help educate students about the dangers of bullying and how to report it when it occurs. Some schools have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for bullying and have strict punishments in place for those who are found to be engaging in this behavior.
It’s important that educators, parents, and students work together to create a safe environment that encourages open communication and discourages bullying behavior. Victims and bystanders are not alone, they can help enforce the bully to stand down. Students in Baltimore County can access forms here to report bullying they experience or see in their schools. Reporting and following up that the concern reported was addressed is important in fighting bullying.
While bullying has been physical, verbal, or social in the past, for our generation a new form of bullying has taken the front lines- cyberbullying. Cyberbullies can hide behind the safety of a screen to do unimaginable harm to their victim’s sense of self. Even though that bullying may be taking place outside of school, it should still be reported.
One student who chooses to remain anonymous shared, “If you really want to solve the bullying problem, you’ve got to look at the bigger picture. Find out what is causing or triggering the problem. And when you find that problem, work to fix it.” Many agree that to actually solve the problem you need to fix the root cause of it which is often what’s leading the bully to believe bullying is the answer to their problems.
By taking a proactive approach to bullying prevention, we can help stop this form of abuse and create a healthier, more supportive community for all.
Bullying is a serious problem because if we tolerate or look the other way when bullying occurs, everyone loses from the bully, the victims they target, and the bystanders that stand by and take no action. It may not be you today but it could be you tomorrow.
One should always do their best to quell the issue of bullying wherever one can. Don’t stand by and let it happen, stand up for the victims. Help your friends; help a stranger if you witness bullying. Don’t be a bystander take action whether that’s speaking up or reporting the concern.
