The following “Tips for a better internet together” offers some very practical advice which I’d encourage parents and guardians to discuss with their children. These simple tips could make a big difference to someone who is experiencing bullying.
“1. Reach out to someone you know is being bullied. A simple message of support, a like, or a smile can be enough to give hope to someone who feels alone.
2. Include someone you see being isolated. Invite them to sit with you at lunch, include them in a chat, share jokes with them.
3. Make a clear statement that you think bullying is unacceptable and not just another part of growing up. Sharing or liking anti-bullying messages on social networks is a simple way of doing this. You might even go further and create your own.
4. Say ‘No’ or ‘Stop’ when you see someone behaving unfairly. Standing up takes real courage but not doing it is the same as giving your permission for someone to be bullied.
5. Get help from an adult if you think that standing up to a bully might put you at risk of being hurt or becoming the next target. You might not always be able to fix things without putting yourself at risk, but you can always do the right thing – and that means getting help. In fact telling a parent or teacher is usually the moment when the situation stops getting worse and starts being dealt with.
6. Report it. All good schools and clubs have ways for you to report bullying incidents. Find out what they are and use them. You can also click the report abuse button on websites like Facebook and Twitter. They all have to take reports seriously and remember they won’t reveal the identity of the person making the report.
7. Don’t bully back no matter how angry you feel. You should never accept bullying but don’t cross the line and bully the bully. It’s ok to point out that the bullying should stop but it’s not ok to send abusive messages in retaliation. It makes it more difficult to get help from your school. They might even end up punishing you too.”
Source: http://www.webwise.ie
MySelfie and the wider world
Webwise Primary Anti-Cyber Bullying Teachers’ Handbook
What advice do you give your children if they see someone being bullied?
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx
Highest achievers?
The results of Ireland’s Leaving Certificate State Exam were released on the 13th of August.
This exam is the culmination of five years of study and it holds the key to the future of many students.
For months before the exams, which are held each year in June, two things happen.
1. Some students don’t cast the upcoming exams a thought.
2. Some students stress themselves to the point of mental and physical distress over sitting these exams.
For weeks before the results are released in August, two things happen.
1. Some students don’t cast the upcoming results a thought.
2. Some students stress themselves out worrying about the outcome or points they will achieve.
And that is the story of life.
The students at 1. above, takes things in their stride, they do not struggle with their emotions or become anxious.
The students at 2. above, are predisposed to an anxious nature. They struggle to handle their emotions and cope with stress.
And that is the human story or condition. We are all different, in how we see the world and how we cope in the world.
The Leaving Certificate acknowledges the high achievers and rightly so! It tabulates the results and rewards students accordingly. It is a grading system. It however, fails to grade students on how they function and cope emotionally or psychologically.
So please consider a few important things.
1. Look past the A4 sheet of Academic Outcomes and see that each student, teenager, boy, girl, non-gender, behind the A4 grading system is individual, unique, different and consider how they truly feel. They may not be the highest achiever in maths or biology but they might be the highest achiever in resilience or mental health management.
2. Don’t compare them to others. It doesn’t matter what their friends or peers got. Don’t expect them to get the same results. Do expect them to react or cope in very different ways and be there for them, if their world falls apart. Be calm, be capable and let them see that by supporting each other this will all work out!
3. If you are a teacher or parent and your student, son or daughter haven’t reached the exam stage yet, then make the most of it! Tell them, right the way through school, how unique and different they are. Watch out for and acknowledge their high achievements, whether it is academic or simply turning in for school. Remind them that they have numerous talents, some of which will be uncovered academically and many, many more which will only surface when they study at the college of life!
Le grà,
Mindfully Marie xx