How Parents, Teachers, and Kids Can Take Action to Prevent Bullying

Is there really a way to prevent bullying? I wanted to explore that idea especially since most of us will become parents, or are parents, and a lot of us will be working in a school someday. This article I found on the American Psychological Association website provided ways in which parents, teachers and students can prevent bullying. My personal view on bullying is that a lot of the times I think bullies have something they are battling with internally. Whether it's emotional damage from abuse or low self-esteem, or whatever, they do not have the skills or resources to properly handle these feelings and they exert them onto someone else. Whatever the case, I do believe that collective efforts from parents, teachers, and kids themselves can help prevent bullying and hopefully end the progression of suicide and acts of violence among our youth.

One thing I really liked about this article is that it included tips for parents of children being bullied AND of those who are the bullies.

For Teachers and Administrators:

• Be knowledgeable and observant
• Involve students and parents 
• Set positive expectations about behavior for students and adults 

For Parents of Kids Being Bullied:

• Observe your child for signs they might be being bullied
• Teach your child how to handle being bullied
• Set boundaries with technology 

For Parents of Kids Engaged in Bullying

• Stop bullying before it starts
• Make your home "bully free"
• Look for self-esteem issues 

For Students:

• Report bullying and cyber-bullying
• Don't bully back
• Avoid being alone

Are there any tips that stood out to you the most? Do you think these are effective in preventing bullying? Anything you would change or add?