Bystanders … Become Upstanders!
Bystanders are kids and teens who witness bullying and cyberbullying in action, who do and say nothing.
Very often they don’t know what to do. They’re afraid of retaliation or fear that their own group will exclude them for helping an outsider.
When you’re a bystander it’s important to know that by doing nothing you are sending a message to the bully that their behavior is acceptable.
It isn’t!
And that’s not a message you want to send, nor is it a message you would want someone to send if you were a victim.
Yes, it is scary to directly confront a bully and sometimes it can mean taking a big risk.
Whether you know the victim or not, there are things that you as a bystander can safely do to support the victim:
- Don't laugh or encourage the bully in any way
- Stay at a safe distance and help the target get away
- Don’t become an "audience" for the bully
- Reach out in friendship
- Support the victim in private
- Include the victim in some of your activities
- Tell an adult
There is strength in numbers. Every school and every community has more caring kids than bullies.
Unite, be empowered and speak out against bullying and cyberbullying!
Together, you can STOMP Out Bullying – but only if you do something!
When you see someone being bullied and/or cyberbullied and you help them ... you stop being a bystander and become an upstander!
Stand up and STOMP Out Bullying so that everyone hears your message!
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www.stompoutbullying.org
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