Bullying is not a "children's thing": looking the other way is not the solution

Bullying is one of the worst situations a child can experience. Feeling humiliated and terrified by your peers, and many times even being hit is a form of violence that should not be allowed and it is essential to prevent it before it appears.

Bullying is not a "children's thing". It is the message that Educo launches through the report "Violence against children. Do we know how to protect our children?", Whose results ensure that Up to 20.5% of children aged 11 to 12 report being beaten, pushed or shaken at their school.

Minimizing bullying is a mistake

To downplay a bullying situation is the first mistake that parents can make, since detecting if your child suffers bullying when before is key to avoiding greater evils. According to the study, given the possibility that your son or daughter may suffer bullying, 17% of fathers and mothers affirm that "it is a matter of children" and that, as long as it does not go over, "they would do nothing". 9% would say "don't be intimidated and return it" to the aggressor.

Different in the case of boys and girls

The majority option (56%) is to talk with children, a percentage that goes up to 63% in the case of a daughter of 6-9 years and that goes down to 49% in case of a male child the same age.

This suggests different positions of the parents depending on whether a girl or a boy is bullied. According to Pere Cervantes, head of the Technological Crimes Unit of the Castellón National Police.

“Macho patterns continue to prevail in society. There is a different vision before a bully boy than a bully girl ”

Parents who prefer not to see it

In case your daughter or son harasses, 11% of fathers and mothers would have a hard time admitting it or they would take the matter from iron, while 63% of fathers and mothers consider that it is the school that must resolve bullying cases. Another big mistake, since most cases of bullying start at school but also extend to settings outside the school environment.

Not only is the stalker responsible. Bullying is a problem in which we all have some responsibility, from which there is a violent situation and does not act until parents who prefer to look the other way.

Internet, without risks?

From the age of 10 the number of children who have a computer in their room, email or who have a profile on a social network increases. However, many fathers and mothers have a relaxed attitude towards the Internet, are unaware and do not take measures to protect their sons and daughters from the dangers of the Network.

54% of fathers and mothers consider the Internet as a tool without many risks or even safe just by teaching some basic guidelines. And nothing less than 79% do not know of any tools to control the access of children to the Network. Do we really protect our children?

We all believe that our son will not happen, but the harassment is there and is not a "children's thing". We must open our eyes and be alert.

"The solution would be, first of all, to be aware that the risk exists; secondly, to be trained and informed; and finally, to talk with the children," experts recommend.