What students, parents, and teachers can do to deal with bullying in schools

May 20, 2010 - Bullying is certainly not new in our society, but it has become more prevelent. It has also moved from the school yard to the online and social networking world, so it has become a bit more non-stop in some ways. However, despite the fact that bullying has been around for awhile, not many people are really ready to deal with it.

On Good Morning Maryland @ 9, Jamie sat down with Ben Shifrin from the Jemicy School to talk about what students, parents, and teachers can do to help those who are being bullied and even the bully. Those tips included if and when a parent should step in, why students shouldn't be affraid to talk to teachers, and

To see the segment again, click on the video box to the left of this article. You can also see some of Ben's tips below.

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What to do if Your Child is Bullied

1. Maintain open communication with your children.

2. Take their complaints seriously.

3. Intervene. Kids are almost always reluctant to have a parent intervene. They fear the social stigma of having their parents fight their battles, but it is something that you as a parent, need to do.

4. With our children’s constant access to technology, cyber bullying has become a serious problem. It is the fastest growing form of bullying, with middle school aged girls being the most vulnerable. Parents must be aware that this form of bullying happens not just on the computer, but also on the phone via text messaging.

5. Visit the Stop Bullying Now website (see Resources below). The website is run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

• While bullying in elementary schools is no less damaging to the children being bullied, dealing with bullying by younger kids is usually easier and more straightforward. Younger kids are generally less sophisticated about how they bully, and most young kids still have a healthy respect for consequences and authority figures such as school administrators.

• Some kids in middle school or junior high would actually rather endure the bullying than have a parent intervene on their behalf just to avoid the social stigma of having mom or dad fight their battles. Leaving your child on his own to deal with bullying could result in a decline in academic performance, depression and, in extreme cases, suicide. You are the parent. Support your child lovingly, but do take the bully by the horns.

• Don't talk to the parents of the bullies. Parents become defensive when their child is accused of bullying, and the conversation will generally not be a productive one. Instead let the school administrators manage the communication with the parents.