Bullying has become an increasingly serious issue in recent years, and the rise of digital communication has introduced a new form of bullying: cyberbullying. While bullying has always existed and caused significant harm, the nature of bullying in the 21st century has evolved, often with even more damaging consequences, especially online.
According to Pacer’s National Bullying Prevention Center, one in four students reports being bullied during the school year, and 14.8% of high school students in the United States have experienced online bullying.
The impact of both traditional bullying and cyberbullying can be profound, leading to decreased academic performance, anxiety, depression, and behavioral issues. Given the prevalence of bullying in all its forms, it’s crucial that children are equipped with strategies to protect themselves from name-calling, teasing, harassment, and digital abuse.
So, how can kids avoid becoming a target, both in person and online? Here are some effective strategies:
- Cultivate Confidence
Bullies often target individuals who appear to lack confidence or seem unsure of themselves. Whether in person or online, projecting insecurity can make someone an easy target for bullies.
Building and displaying confidence is one of the most effective ways to deter bullying. Parents can play a vital role by nurturing their child’s self-esteem through encouragement and support. When children feel valued, their confidence naturally grows. They can show this confidence by standing tall, maintaining eye contact, being friendly, and taking pride in their appearance. Online, this means being mindful of what they share and how they interact with others, maintaining a strong sense of self-worth.
- Surround Yourself with Supportive Friends
A few close, supportive friends can make a world of difference, especially when it comes to avoiding bullies and dealing with cyberbullying.
Encourage children to choose their friends wisely and stick together. Walking through school with friends, sitting together on the bus, or sharing a meal in the cafeteria can significantly reduce the chances of being singled out by a bully. Bullies often target those who appear isolated, so having strong friendships can be a powerful defense. Online, maintaining a positive digital community with supportive peers can also provide a buffer against cyberbullying.
- Stand Up for Yourself
If a bully does approach, whether in person or online, it’s important for children to know that it’s okay—and necessary—to stand up for themselves.
When confronted by someone who is being hurtful, children should draw on their inner confidence, stand tall, make eye contact, and firmly tell the bully to stop. After asserting themselves, they should walk away and move on. In the case of cyberbullying, children should not engage with the bully further; instead, they should save the evidence and report the behavior to a trusted adult or the appropriate platform.
Showing the bully, whether in person or online, that their words or actions have had no effect can prevent further attempts at harassment.
- Train in Martial Arts and Self-Defense
Martial arts and self-defense training can be incredibly empowering for children, providing them with the skills and confidence to handle bullying situations effectively. These practices teach discipline, respect, and self-control, all of which are essential in both avoiding and dealing with bullies.
Martial arts training helps children develop physical and mental strength, which can deter bullies. The confidence that comes from knowing how to protect oneself can make a child less of a target. Moreover, martial arts emphasize the importance of non-violent conflict resolution, teaching kids that physical defense is a last resort and should only be used when absolutely necessary.
Parents can encourage their children to participate in martial arts classes, which not only provide practical self-defense skills but also help build resilience, focus, and a strong sense of self.
- Protect Your Digital Space
Cyberbullying can be especially challenging because it can follow children wherever they go, even into their homes. To protect themselves online, children should:
- Be cautious about sharing personal information: Limit what is shared online to reduce the risk of being targeted by cyberbullies.
- Use privacy settings: Make sure social media accounts are private and only accessible to friends and trusted contacts.
- Know how to block and report: Teach children how to block individuals who harass them and how to report inappropriate behavior on social media platforms and other online spaces.
- Save the evidence: Encourage children to take screenshots or save messages that could serve as evidence if cyberbullying needs to be reported.
Children have the power to stop bullies, whether in person or online. By fostering confidence, building strong friendships, standing up for themselves, and taking control of their digital lives, kids can avoid falling victim to bullying and cyberbullying, along with the lasting harm they can cause. Martial arts and self-defense training can further enhance their ability to navigate these challenges, providing them with the tools they need to stay safe and strong.