Today, May 2, the World Day Against Bullying. Unfortunately, thousands of children today suffer bullying in schools. That is why it is so important to raise awareness about bullying in children, both at home and in schools.
It is becoming one of the biggest problems in our school system. With new technologies, new forms of harassment have appeared, cyberbullying, extending beyond the school center. It has become more dangerous than before and it is becoming more and more a very serious issue where the intimidated live situations of total anguish.
What is bullying?
"Bullying" is an English word that means "intimidation". Bill bullying is an abuse or aggressive behavior towards a student in a repeated and premeditated way, with the intention of causing harm and imposing its power. There are of several types: psychological (crushing self-esteem), verbal (insults, mockery, contempt ...), social (social isolation) or physical (hits, kicks, shoves ...).
The stalker has the need to impose his power on someone he considers weaker. The causes are caused by several factors:
Family: If the kids they get used to witnessing violence, they will assume it as something normal. As a method of getting what they need. Marital problems, absence of limits, absence of values in the home can influence aggressive behavior in children.
School: The Bullies' goal is to isolate and socially marginalize the bullied, influencing other students to do so. Bullying can begin with a grace that is not reprimanded by adults or peers, quite the opposite. Laughing at the thank you reinforces his behavior, and he will repeat it as a form of acceptance.
How to raise awareness about bullying
La education is the most effective tool. In a social problem as big as this one, a common front is necessary both of teachers, parents and children. It is vital to stop this type of behavior between children.
Bullying awareness activities can be an effective way of prevention and early detection of cases of victims of bullying to be prepared and know how to act.
Bullying awareness activities
The activities should reflect and provide information about bullying, the types that exist, its manifestations, consequences for the victim and how to respond to the problem.
- Virtual reality. Using new technologies in education, Samsung in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain have developed the program "Empathy Subject". In it you see in first person a recreation of a bullying victim story. It promotes empathy and a change in attitude towards bullying.
- Book "Nobody laughs at me". Adela Martín is an expert in bullying, and provides us with this book an educational resource for us to learn more about the subject. Provides information about bullying, emotional intelligence, values and activities to do both at home and in the classroom.
- Song "Brave Wanted". A video clip starring students from Las Esperanzas de Murcia and El Langui schools. Has become viral phenomenon in the networks, and tries to increase social awareness about this problem.
- The heroes of the Patio. A series of videos starring well-known artists where they teach children to behave as heroes in the face of bullying.
- Monité method. A educational system designed to prevent bullying in an entertaining way. It encourages tolerance, respect, empathy and conflict resolution. It consists of a video game, stories, pedagogical guides, material and a website.
- Against bullying. A website that provides very interesting material about bullying for teachers and students.
- The mirror technique. Manuel chaves presents this resource to us to face bullying, with the mirror technique. I leave you a video of him.
In our article "How to teach your children to face bullying" You will find useful tips to detect if your children are being bullied and act.
Why remember ... bullying is not a school problem, but a social one.