A NUMBER OF YOU WROTE IN ABOUT BULLYING. IT’S CLEAR THAT IT’S TOP OF MIND FOR MANY OF YOU -- AND IT’S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT BULLYING CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE. IN FACT, A STUDY IN LOS ANGELES, THE SECOND LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT IN THE COUNTRY, RECENTLY REVEALED THAT 1 OUT OF 4 ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS WERE BULLIED LAST YEAR.
BUT BULLYING ISN'T JUST ABOUT PHYSICAL VIOLENCE OR EMOTIONAL PAIN -- IT CAN ALSO HAVE AN IMPACT ON YOUR EDUCATION.
KIM HUTCHERSON HAS DETAILS.
A NEW STUDY IN THE JOURNAL OF EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY TAKES A COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE EFFECTS OF BULLYING... AND THE RESULTS AREN'T PRETTY KIDS BULLIED THEIR ENTIRE SCHOOL CAREER HAVE DECLINING TEST SCORES... A GROWING DISLIKE OF SCHOOL... AND FAILING CONFIDENCE IN THEIR OWN ABILITIES. THE STUDY FOLLOWED A GROUP OF 383 KIDS STARTING IN KINDERGARTEN- AND CHECKED IN EVERY YEAR. RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT A THIRD OF THE GROUP EXPERIENCED LITTLE TO NO BULLYING; A QUARTER REPORTED DECREASED BULLYING OVER TIME; AND ANOTHER QUARTER SUFFERED CHRONIC BULLYING THROUGHOUT SCHOOL. THE STUDY FOUND THAT BOYS WERE MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER INCREASED OR CHRONIC BULLYING. THE GOOD NEWS IS THE LONGER KIDS STAY IN SCHOOL THE LESS LIKELY IT IS THAT THEY WILL BE VICTIMIZED. ALSO, RESEARCHERS FOUND THAT WHEN BULLYING DECREASES, KIDS CAN RECOVER-MEANING IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ADULTS TO ADDRESS BULLYING BEHAVIOR EARLY.
AS YOU HEARD, BULLYING CAN HAVE SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE EFFECTS ON GRADES AND TEST SCORES, BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT STUDENTS CAN OVERCOME IT!
SO, IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS BEING BULLIED, IT’S IMPORTANT TO TELL THE ADULTS AROUND YOU, SO THEY CAN HELP YOU ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
NO ONE DESERVES TO BE BULLIED!
Instructional Links
Website: StopBullying.gov–Kids | Includes information, videos & games.
Website Article: Safer Schools Ohio, Anti-Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying Resources | Overview & links to resources.