Bullying in schools is a big problem that affects not just the victim, but the entire school community and overall feeling of safety for the students. Did you know 1 in 5 students gets bullied at school? And 70.6% of students have witnessed a bullying incident. This means it’s very likely that your child is either being bullied, has bullied someone, or has seen it happen to someone else.
At Total Impact, we believe in empowering not just those who are bullied, but the bystanders who often feel powerless in these situations. For October’s National Bullying Prevention Month, we’re sharing ways to get peers to speak up for other students, protect each other, and transform students of all ages into active allies!
Research shows that 85% of bullying incidents have bystanders present but remain silent. But when bystanders act, bullying stops in 10 seconds in 57% of cases. So how do we turn our kids into active allies against bullying? Through the principles of teamwork, confidence, and respect that are at the heart of our martial arts programs, we can give our kids the confidence and skills to stand up to bullying and create a safer and more supportive school for everyone! Let’s dive in…
Why Anti-Bullying Strategies Are So Important: Bullying Stats in 2024
Bullying is a big problem that affects millions of students across the US each year. According to the CDC’s Youth Violence Prevention data bullying affects not just the target but the students who witness it and the whole school environment. The numbers are staggering and we need to act now and have comprehensive solutions to address the issue.
In 2024:
- 1 in 5 high school students reported being bullied on school property.
- More than 1 in 6 high school students has been electronically bullied (cyberbullied) in the past year.
- Bullying is a big problem but some groups are more vulnerable than others. 40% of students who identify as LGB and 33% of students who are unsure of their sexual identity get bullied at school or online compared to 22% of heterosexual students.
- 30% of female high school students get bullied at school or electronically, compared to 19% of males.
These numbers show how bullying affects different demographics and age groups differently. Bullying is more prevalent in middle schools where 28% of students get bullied, followed by high schools (16%), combined schools (12%), and primary schools (9%). 33% of middle school students get cyber bullied compared to 30% in high schools and 5% in primary schools.
These numbers prove bullying is not just a “childhood problem” but a serious issue that affects mental health, self-esteem, and academic performance. Victims of bullying are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and in extreme cases, suicidal thoughts. Moreover, bullying creates a toxic environment for everyone, leading to higher rates of school absenteeism and affecting the broader community.
The Different Kinds of Bullying to Be Aware Of
To stop bullying, you need to know the different forms it can take. Bullying isn’t always physical—sometimes the scars are emotional or psychological. Here are the different types of bullying kids and teens may experience:
- Physical Bullying: This is hitting, kicking, pushing, or any kind of physical aggression. It’s the most obvious kind of bullying and can be dangerous and hurtful.
- Verbal Bullying: Verbal attacks, name-calling, teasing, and threats can be just as damaging as physical bullying. These attacks often target a child’s appearance, race, or abilities and can cause long-term emotional harm.
- Social Bullying (Relational Bullying): This is excluding someone from a group, spreading rumors, or intentionally damaging someone’s social relationships. It can be very isolating for the victim and hard to detect because it happens behind the scenes.
- Cyberbullying: With technology on the rise, cyberbullying is a big deal. This is using social media, text messages, or other online platforms to harass, embarrass, or threaten someone. The anonymity and accessibility of the internet makes it a dangerous place for bullying, where victims often feel they can’t escape the abuse.
Each type of bullying requires different strategies for intervention, but one thing is consistent: bystanders play a critical role in stopping bullying in its tracks.
Empowering Bystanders to Take Action!
So what is a bystander? In the context of bullying, a bystander is anyone who witnesses a bullying situation but is not directly involved. Bystanders may feel powerless or unsure about what to do but the truth is they have a key role to play in stopping bullying. Research shows 57% of bullying stops within 10 seconds when a bystander intervenes.
Empowering bystanders to act can reduce bullying in schools. Bystanders are hesitant to get involved because they fear being targeted themselves or don’t know what to say or do. But by educating and equipping children & teens with the right tools, we can help them understand the impact of their intervention and encourage them to stand up for their peers.
The Role of the Bystander: What They Can Do to Help
Bystanders are often silent witnesses to bullying, but their actions can either reinforce or disrupt the bullying dynamic. Here are some effective strategies bystanders can use to intervene:
- Defend the Target: Stand up for the victim by saying bullying is wrong. Bystanders can also validate the victim’s worth and social status publicly which will stop the bullying in its tracks.
- Use Humor: Lighten the situation with humor and shift the focus away from the bullying without confrontation.
- Intervene as a Group: When multiple bystanders object to bullying it’s a stronger message to the bully that their behavior won’t be tolerated.
- Change the Subject: Shift the conversation to something else and distract the bully without escalation.
- Question the Bullying Behavior: Bystanders can question the bully by saying “Why are you doing this?” or “How would you feel if this happened to you?” which will make the bully think twice.
- Privately Support the Victim: After bullying has happened, bystanders can reach out to the victim privately to show they care and aren’t alone. This simple act of kindness can be a big help.
- Report the Incident: Whether in person or online, reporting bullying to a teacher, school administrator or a trusted adult is key to stopping it from happening again. Bystanders should be encouraged to report incidents, knowing their voice can make a big difference.
Examples of Common Bullying Situations and How Bystanders Can Help
Bystanders can make a big difference in bullying situations, whether through direct intervention or supporting the victim. Let’s look at some common bullying scenarios and what bystanders can do:
Scenario 1: Physical Bullying in the Schoolyard
- Situation: A student is being shoved around by a group of kids during recess.
- Bystander Action: A bystander could intervene by telling the bullies to stop, distracting them by calling a teacher over or guiding the victim away from the situation. Even small actions like making eye contact with the bully and shaking your head can signal disapproval and de-escalate the situation.
Scenario 2: Verbal Bullying in the Hallways
- Situation: A student is being called names and insulted by a group of peers between classes.
- Bystander Action: In this scenario, a bystander could talk to the victim after the incident to offer support and tell them what happened wasn’t right. They could also report the bullying to a teacher or counselor so it doesn’t go unnoticed.
Scenario 3: Cyberbullying on Social Media
- Situation: A student posts a hurtful comment on another student’s photo, and it starts to gain traction.
- Bystander Action: Online bullying is especially harmful because it can reach a wider audience. Bystanders can play a big role by not engaging with or sharing harmful content. They can also report the post to the platform and privately message the victim to offer support.
By stepping in or speaking up bystanders can break the cycle of bullying and send a powerful message to the bullies that their behavior won’t be tolerated.
How Total Impact Martial Arts Empowers Students to Stand Up to Bullying
At Total Impact Martial Arts, we are proud to teach young people the skills they need to defend themselves and others. Through our martial arts programs, children and teens develop valuable life skills that go beyond the physical. Here are some of the core principles we teach that help our students stand up to bullying:
- Teamwork: Martial arts teaches the importance of working together and supporting each other. In our classes, students learn their strength comes from their community and they are responsible for looking out for each other. This sense of teamwork extends beyond the dojo and into the classroom where students are encouraged to support their peers.
- Confidence: Bullying thrives on the fear and insecurity of others. At Total Impact, we help our students build self-confidence so they feel capable of defending themselves and others. When students are confident they are less likely to be targeted by bullies and more likely to step in when they see someone else being bullied.
- Self-Defense: Knowing how to physically defend yourself is an empowering tool. We always teach non-violent solutions first but learning self-defense helps children feel more secure in their ability to protect themselves if needed.
- Respect: Respect is one of the core values in martial arts. Students learn to treat their peers with kindness and fairness which creates a more positive and supportive environment.
At Total Impact, we believe every child can be a leader in the fight against bullying. By teaching respect, teamwork, and confidence we want to create a generation of students who stand up for themselves and for others…making our world a safer place for everyone to be themselves.
The Power of Bystander Intervention
Bullying affects children in so many ways, from their mental health to their academic performance. But by empowering bystanders to take action we can reduce bullying in schools. Whether it’s speaking up, offering support, or intervening in the moment with self defense, bystanders can protect their peers and create a safer, more supportive environment.
At Total Impact Martial Arts, we teach young people the skills to stand up against bullying and speak up for themselves. Through our children’s martial arts and teen karate programs, students learn not only how to defend themselves but how to be leaders in their community. Let’s create a world where bullying is no longer acceptable and every student feels safe and supported.
