Prevent Bullying

Protect Yourself from Cyberbullying:

• Always think about what you post. You never know what someone will forward. Being kind to others online will help keep you safe. Do not share anything that could hurt or embarrass anyone.
• Keep your password a secret from other kids. Even kids that seem like friends could give your password away or use it in ways you don’t want. Let your parents have your passwords.
• Think about who sees your posts online. Complete strangers? Friends? Friends of friends? Privacy settings let you control who sees what.
• Keep your parents in the loop. Tell them what you are doing online and who you are doing it with. Let them friend or follow you. Listen to what they have to say about what is and isn’t OK to do. They care about you and want you to be safe.

• The best way to address bullying is to stop it before it starts. Incorporate the topic of bullying prevention into lessons and activities. Red Card can help.
• Establish yourself as a clear and visible authority with responsibility for making the school experience safe and positive.
• If bullying happens, take immediate action. Notify parents of all involved students. Resolve the problem expeditiously according to your school’s discipline plans.
• Encourage involvement in activities your students enjoy. Kids involved in group activities develop more confidence, resiliency, a better sense of belonging and more meaningful relationships.

• Begin the season with clear rules about a zero-tolerance policy with athletes. Be clear that bullying behavior is unacceptable and what the consequences will be.
• Develop an accepting culture. Allow kids to talk about bullying when they see or experience it. Ongoing conversation throughout the season reminds everyone about the shared responsibility to respect each other.
• Coaches can use activities to build camaraderie, rather than promote competition and comparison between teammates. Try physical activities even outside of practice designed to foster collaboration and teamwork.
• Keep an eye out for an imbalance of power and status—physical, verbal and anti-social.
• Coaches set the example for how players should treat each other. Players should see their coach being respectful and kind to all. The coach should always be seen as the advocate of a safe and healthy play environment.

• Teach your child to act with self-confidence. Confident and empathetic children are less likely to bully others, or be bullied.
• Encourage involvement in activities your kids enjoy. Kids involved in group activities develop more confidence, resiliency, a better sense of belonging and more meaningful relationships.
• Help your child understand the different types of bullying – and learn to recognize the signs of bullying in your child.
• The more digital platforms your child uses, the more opportunities there are to be exposed to cyberbullying. Watch out for signs of cyberbullying:
  • Notable increase or decrease of device use.
  • Emotional responses to what’s happening on their device.
  • Hiding their screen.
  • Shutting down social media accounts and/or opening new ones.
  • Avoiding social situations, even those they enjoyed in the past.
• If you notice warning signs, ask questions about what’s happening. Keep a record of activity including screen shots. Report it to the social media platform and the police if necessary. Provide support to your child to prevent cyberbullying.