T4T
Teens 4 Tolerance
How To Deal With Bullying...
Bullying can be one of the most harmful things to teens. Not only can it hurt someone physically, but also mentally. But how do you deal with it? There are many ways to approach the subject but the first piece of advice would be to tell an adult. It can be so difficult to speak up (trust me, I know). But if you genuinely want attacks to stop...adults need to be aware of what is going on.
Teens are very concerned about image, and why wouldn't they be? Everything the media promotes is about 'looking cool'. Telling an adult does NOT make you weak...it makes you smart.
I remember my freshman year. I was logged into Facebook when two sophomore boys from my school started chatting me and sexually harassing me. Teens need to realize that once you say something online, you can’t take it back! I simply printed out the chat logs and brought them to my counselor the next day at school and she took care of it. Problem solved.
Be proactive. Print out a chat log and turn it in to your school counselor. Trust me...the bullies will back off the second that they realize may be facing expulsion.
Another strategy is to confront the bullies at school. I do NOT mean fighting them. As my dad always told me, “Kill em with kindness.” Just be polite and ask if there is an issue. They will probably be so taken aback they will just apologize and move on, but if they start getting physical, get a teacher involved.
Finally, you can just remove yourself from the situation. I would not consider it as 'running away' from your fears, but as 'being proactive.' Because honestly...what are you going to gain by being taunted day after day? It’s not being cowardly…it’s being someone who actually has a brain. Why deal with someone else’s issues? Because when it comes down to it; THEY have a problem, not you. If you have analyzed your behavior, and realize you are not doing anything wrong, then just move on.
"Courage is fire, and bullying is smoke"
~Benjamin Disraeli
