While it has always existed, bullying and cyberbullying has become a major problem in middle childhood and adolescence. I have included a great resource regarding this topic. Take a moment to look over some of the items on the website. After viewing the website, reading this week’s material, and reflecting on your own experiences, create a thread that addresses the harmful effects and possible solutions to bullying and cyberbullying.
Here are some prompts to get you started:
- How was bullying dealt with when you were younger? How is it dealt with today?
- Where do bullies fit in the system of popular and unpopular children?
- What happens to bullies when they become older?
- What advice should parents give their children who are victimized by a bully? Should a child be encouraged to defend himself/herself? When should he/she use adult resources? Is it always wrong to hit (such as in self-defense)? Are self-defense and retaliation different?