It’s October, National Anti-Bullying Awareness Month. According phys.org, a study at the University of Virginia has found a decrease in bullying, stating; “While bullying is a significant public health concern and has received considerable attention from the media and policymakers, these data suggest that things are starting to improve…” This is good news people. REALLY, really good news.

However, we still have a lot of work to do to eradicate this public epidemic. Although studies show a decrease in bullying overall, many of us are noticing an increase in the catastrophic consequences of cyberbullying; including young children taking their lives due to cyberbullying. We need to better understand this, and this needs to stop! As parents, teachers, and friends, we need to do more to help.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW SUGGESTIONS THAT MAY HELP:

• First, stop and ask, does your child even need a device? Why? For school or transportation? If not, do away with that.
• If the child really need needs a device, collect it at night to charge in a local spot where you have access, and check the text messages.
• Do away with or limit the child’s social media, and again, IF you allow it, check it regularly.
• Begin a constant dialogue with your children, asking them to share with you any problems that they may be having online or in person.
• Be supportive of your children and of their concerns. Find the right time each day for you to listen and really BE with your child to hear him/her.
• Above all – be a positive role model for your children. Be cautious about the comments you make or text messages you may send in their presence.
• Read more about bullying

It is our goal at Wear the Cape to help prevent and stop bullying, in all forms, in its tracks. Will you join us on our mission?

We have created several resources for you to discuss bullying with your children, from a kindness perspective, including our children’s book, It’s Good To Be Kind and our Hero Assembly for elementary school students. For further information on how to promote kindness through these resources, please email leighann@wearthecapekids.com or click here.

In Kindness,

The Wear The Cape Team