1. What’s the Big Deal About Bullying?
PARENT PRESENTATION

2. What’s the Big Deal?
Bullying happens on an average of every 7 minutes on school playgrounds
60% male bullies will have 1 conviction by age 24
85% of the school population are bystanders
Bullying is one of the leading causes of suicide
>90% of victims’ grades will drop
Here are some statistics about the affects of bullying
Is there anything that is surprising?
The most important one to remember is that bullying and suicide are highly correlated

3. What is Bullying?
A person is being bullied when he or she is exposed, repeatedly and over time to negative actions on the part of one or more other persons Olweus, 1992
What do you think of when you hear of bullying?

4. Bullying is…
P =Purposeful (intentionally trying to hurt another person)
I = Imbalance of power (bigger, older, part of a group)
C = Continues (not a one time event; happens over time)
3 main characteristics -- intentional, imbalance of power, occurs repeatedly
82% of educators mis-identify bullying situations because they over identify ALL physical aggression as bullying

5. Normal Peer Conflict vs. Bullying
Equal power or friends
Happens occasionally
Accidental
Not serious
Equal emotional reaction
Not seeking power or attention
Not trying to get something
Remorse -- will take responsibility
Effort to solve the problem
Bullying
Imbalance of power; not friends
Repeated negative actions
Purposeful
Serious with threat of physical or emotional harm
Strong emotional reaction from victim and little or no emotional reaction from bully
Seeking power, control, or material things
No remorse -- blames victim
No effort to solve problems
Reference: Bullyproofing Your School -- Garrity, Jens, Porter, Sager, and Short-Camilli
Not all teasing is bullying. Teasing is a normal and healthy part of development and growing up. It occurs when both parties agree to participate. When teasing becomes one-sided, repeated, and unwanted, it crosses the line into bullying.
Read 2 scenarios
After each scenario, ask audience whether or not it is bullying. How did you know? If it is bullying, what kind of bullying is it?
Segue…now that we’ve talked about some background information about bullying, we want to show you practical ways to bullyproof your children.

6. Types of Bullying Physical Aggression Social Alienation
Verbal Aggression
Intimidation
“Cyber” Bullying
Sexual Harassment

7. What is “Cyberbullying?”
Cyberbullying: the intentional and repeated harm of others through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.
Examples: mean text messages or s, rumors sent by or posted on social networking sites, embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles.
Characteristics:
Can be anonymous
Impact can be wider reaching (speed and breadth of internet is damaging)
Can be children who might not have otherwise engaged in bullying behavior (it is easier to be cruel when the bully is sheltered from target’s responses)

8. Preventing Cyberbullying
Be aware of what your kids are doing online
Know the sites your kids visit and their online activities
Have a sense of what they do online and in texts. Learn about the sites they like. Try out the devices they use
Ask to “friend” or “follow” your kids on social media sites or ask another trusted adult to do so
Establish Rules about technology use
Be clear about what sites they can visit and what they are permitted to do when they’re online
Help them be smart about what they post or say. Tell them not to share anything that could hurt or embarrass themselves or others

9. Warning Signs Sudden change in school attendance/academic performance
Difficulty concentrating in class
Lonely, withdrawn, isolated
Poor or no social/interpersonal skills
Frequent complaints of headaches, pains, etc…

10. What Can Parents Do? Ask your child for specifics Listen
Contact the school as soon as possible
Avoid confronting the other student’s parents
Arrange for your child to join social groups, team sports, clubs or organizations that meet his/her interests

11. Future of the Trend
Old Attitude
Not my problem
New Attitude
Everyone’s responsibility
Everyone is responsible for dealing with bullying - students, staff, parents and community members.