Hot Topic: Bullying

Children and teens are not always kind to each other. In fact, they can be cruel and abusive. The bad news is that this is increasingly a significant problem in today's society. The good news is that there is research-based information and practical steps that you can take to help both the bullies and their victims. Here are just a few of the many Extension resources offered through CYFERnet to help parents deal with:

Research Spotlight: Words Can Hurt, Too — Another Kind of Bullying
Behaviors such as snubbing, exclusion, spreading lies about someone and other relational aggression are more common among girls. Dr. Nicki Crick of the University of Minnesota has led ground-breaking, broad research on the behavior, establishing it as a form of aggression as common as physical aggression among boys.

Bullying in Schools: An Overview
The National Center for School Engagement conducted a series of studies to explore the connections between bullying in schools, school attendance and engagement, and academic achievement. This bulletin provides an overview of the OJJDP-funded studies, a summary of the researchers' findings, and recommendations for policy and practice.

Childhood Aggression: Where Does it Come From? How Can it be Managed?
Children aren't born aggressive, they learn it. However, children, parents, and caregivers also can learn how to cope with aggression. This resource answers questions about aggression and how to teach coping skills to children.

What's a Parent to Do?
This site links to Iowa State University's satellite and web cast seminar to be held December 7, 2-3 p.m. CST. If you are a professional or volunteer who works with families, or a caregiver of a child who has behavior problems or has experienced bullying, this may be the most important event you attend this year. This program is aimed at helping educators understand the emotional strengths in children and youth, and providing practical ideas to reframe how to work effectively with children and families.

Bullies (pdf)
This fact sheet explains why children are bullies and how parents can help prevent their children from becoming bullies. It also provides ways to deal with a bully, as well as ways to detect whether a child may be being bullied.

Bullying in Our Children's Schools
This PowerPoint presentation offers an overview of bullying and includes additional resources.

Bullying: What Educators Can Do About It (pdf)
This 12-page publication offers advice to educators on what they can do about bullying. It includes sections on different forms of bullying, strategies for teachers and schools, references, classroom activities, and children's books related to bullying.

Bullying: What Parents Can Do About It (pdf)
This eight page publication offers advice to parents on what they can do about bullying. It includes sections on addressing bullying, strategies for parents, references, other resources, and children's books related to bullying.

Bullying: A Big Problem with Big Consequences
This brief fact sheet includes some statistics about bullying, tips for children on how to deal with bullies, and what to do if your child is bullying others.