Contents:
- Medical Video: What to Do If You Witness Bullying
- Generally, children who become witnesses to bullying tend to be silent because ...
- 1. Children are sure that there are other adults who can solve it
- 2. Not familiar with bully victims and afraid to be the next bully victim
- 3. They don't know how to mediate bullying
- What children should teach and do when they are witnesses of bullying
- Teach children not to join or laugh
- Just ignore the bully
- Tell the bully to stop
- Ask for assistance
- Defend and support bully victims
Medical Video: What to Do If You Witness Bullying
Generally, bullying events not only involve victims and perpetrators. Usually involved witnesses or people who saw the event. Anyone can see it, including your baby. As a parent, of course you want your child to do good, at least not being one of the bullying actors. Then, what can be taught to children when witnessing bullying?
Generally, children who become witnesses to bullying tend to be silent because ...
1. Children are sure that there are other adults who can solve it
At school, at tutoring, at the playground, or in other associations, generally children who witness bully often assume that adults will be responsible and solve this problem. Thus, they feel they do not need to interfere and are finally released from the responsibility to stop it.
2. Not familiar with bully victims and afraid to be the next bully victim
Furthermore, the child may feel that there is no closeness and friendship with the victim or bully. Well, this reason is sometimes used as a "shield" to pretend not to know, stay quiet, or even not care. Worse yet, if a child mediates on a bully, he can be threatened to become the next bully victim by the perpetrator.
3. They don't know how to mediate bullying
Finally, from all the reasons above, sometimes children do not know what they should do when they witness the bully of their friends. In the end, they can only be silent and tend to just watch it.
What children should teach and do when they are witnesses of bullying
As a good parent, it's a good idea to teach and tell what children should do when they see their friends bullying or being bullied victims. You or your child can do the following simple things when witnessing a bully event.
Teach children not to join or laugh
Sometimes children will unconsciously laugh or even participate in bullying when they see one of their friends intimidated. Explain to your child that it is not good to join in, and you expect the child not to join in the bully event.
Just ignore the bully
Sometimes bullying only seeks attention for a moment. And, if no one is watching, usually they will stop. Tell your children that sometimes what is needed is to help the bully victim stay away and leave the bully.
Tell the bully to stop
Usually, if a bully does not get support or cheers from the crowd, he will stop his actions. Clearly, only one or two people are needed to show disagreement to end the bully.
You can tell your children to use this method only if they feel safe doing it. If the bully poses a physical threat, another possible option is to seek adult help.
Ask for assistance
Give understanding to children that asking for help from an adult does not mean that children automatically become complainants. Explain to your child, if the bully is so "good at", why fear adults like teachers and parents? So, affirm the child that asking for help from adults to mediate in bullying events has become his responsibility.
Defend and support bully victims
Sometimes the best way to avoid bullying is to become a friend of the victim. In fact, research shows that by having, at least one or two close friends, the bully can feel reluctant or even outnumbered. Give your child ideas and direction about how to be friends with bullying victims. For example by walking to the canteen, class or going home together.
