Bullying Prevention Starts at Home
Supportive parent involvement together with warm and affectionate parenting, are part of the scaffolding required in children’s lives to reduce the chances of them becoming a bully, a victim or both. Last month, researchers at the University of Warwick and Kingston University published findings from a large-scale analysis of research on bullying and victimisation of children and produced more evidence of the importance of parenting programs to bolster children’s wellbeing. Read full article
What Makes Teenagers Stand Up for Bullying Victims?
To bully, 'bystand' or 'upstand'? This is the question that adolescents who witness bullying behaviour are processing at the time of an incident. New research from the Harvard Graduate School of Education discovers why teens at school don't always stand up for bullying victims, even though they want to. Read full article
Reducing Aggression by Teaching Teens that People Can Change
When adults see media coverage of teens reacting aggressively to minor provocation, they often assume this behaviour is influenced by a teenager’s family background and experiences. And although a hostile family and school environment can contribute to aggressive behaviour, new research shows that the tendency of teens to act aggressively also depends on their belief about people’s ability or inability to change. This finding may help adults create education programs aimed at reducing violence and aggressive behaviour, and give parents important ideas on how to talk to children about people’s potential for change. Three key ideas for parents and teachers are included in this article. Read full article
You’re Only Ever as Happy as Your Unhappiest Child
Last year, my twelve year old son went through a tough time at school. It happened in grade six, his final year at the tiny local primary he’d attended ever since he started prep… attended, that is, until we pulled him out in grade five, when our family decided to spend a year living in the north of Australia. Up until this time Declan had loved school, and was close to pretty much all the nine other boys in his year level, with whom he’d always shared a class...When we left everything was perfect, but when we returned everything had changed. Read full article
Every Australian School Should Play This in Class - Bullying
Words not required to describe this extremely moving video. We dare you to watch it without being moved to tears, or at least rivetted to the spot. Australian singer Bec Cole's son made this video. " I thank him for letting me share this, his bravery will help others. So proud of my son.." Read full article
Understanding Children Who Bully
We are in the midst of an epidemic. One in seven kids suffer from it. It destroys lives and can have fatal consequences...As a community, there are things we can all do to decrease the likelihood that children will become bullies...Teens, although highly vulnerable to slights, are quick to dish them out. Testing each other and the world, their expressions are often uncensored... Read full article
Back Me Up - Anti Cyberbullying Campaign & Competition
The message of the BackMeUp campaign is that young people can take positive and safe action if they witness cyberbullying, and can support those whose rights have been violated. It’s a call to action to the friends, peers and colleagues on the sidelines, because being a witness, and doing nothing, is wrong.In Australia, at least one in ten students say they’ve experienced cyberbullying. The Australian Human Rights Commission is inviting 13 – 17 year olds to make a short two minute video about how they can back-up someone who has been cyberbullied. Read full article
We're Backing Back Me Up - Cyberbullying Must Stop
There's more to come on this, but we are backing the "Back Me Up" campaign from the Australian Human Rights Commission - focusing on the role of the bystander in cyberbullying. Teenagers are invited to enter a video competition and win fantastic prizes. Please share this video via social media with all the teens you know. Now, watch the video with Ruby Rose. Read full article
High School Students' Inspiring Anti Bullying Music Video
Students at Cypress Ranch High School in the United States appear to have used the entire school to make this music video with an anti bullying message - "Who Do U Think U R?" This is one to share on Facebook with your teens - the message works best when it comes from the people affected by it. This is definitely worth 5 minutes of your time - makes you smile and reminds you of the power and strengths of our teenagers. Read full article
Unisex Toilets in Schools - What Do You Think?
Two schools in Tasmania have started using standalone unisex toilets as part of a startegy to reduce bullying. But is it really the unisex toilet that is reducing bullying or is it the ease of supervision that is really the answer. Listen to thos discussion and let us know what you think? Read full article
