This week is Anti-Bullying Week, the yearly campaign organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. This year the theme of the week is ‘Change Starts With Us’, inspiring young people and adults across the UK to make positive changes and out an end to bullying.
Unfortunately bullying, both online and offline, is something that affects many young people across the UK. New research conducted by Anti-Bullying Alliance found that one in four children report being bullied a lot or always, with those with SEN or a disability being twice as likely to experience this.
Their research equates to one child per class bullied every day in the last 6 months. With these statistics it’s important that educators have all of the resources they need to combat bullying and create a culture of kindness, tolerance and respect in their school.
Resources for your school
Cyberbullying guidance
We have created guidance that is designed to support schools in preventing and responding to cyberbullying. The Guidance comprises of four main sections;
- Understanding cyberbullying
- Preventing cyberbullying
- Responding to cyberbullying
- Supporting school staff
This work has been assisted by a range of experts in this area who formed part of an Advisory Board, as well as the voice of young people on this subject area. We also received great examples from schools of what they are doing in this area.
Films and resources to use with 11-14 year olds
Crossing the Line is a practical online safety PSHE toolkit with films and lesson plans to explore online issues with pupils aged 11-14 years old. It contains specific lessons and films on cyberbullying with an LGBT focus. Through the toolkit activities students will define cyberbullying and recognise examples of it; exploring when actions have crossed the line. In addition to this there is clear signposting to advice and support on how to respond to and deal with issues of cyberbullying.
Gone Too Far from gofilm it on Vimeo.
Resources for younger years
Digiduck’s Big Decision is a story book for 3-7 year olds which explores what young people can do when faced with a difficult decision online. The book focuses on what it means to be a good friend, both online and offline, and the effect that actions can have on those around you.
Online sexual harassment
Online sexual harassment is unwanted sexual conduct on any digital platform and it is recognised as a form of sexual violence. Online sexual harassment encompasses a wide range of behaviours that use digital content (images, videos, posts, messages, pages) on a variety of different platforms (private or public).
Our teaching toolkit is a practical, interactive and scenario-based resource which addresses the issue of online sexual harassment amongst 13-17 year olds.
Where you can go for further advice
The Professionals Online Safety Helpline (POSH) is the UK’s only dedicated helpline for members of the children’s workforce dealing with online safety issues. They have written some great guidance looking at what educators can do to combat online bullying in their school.
You can also contact the POSH helpline with any online safety issue that you or your pupils may have.
If you need to make a report of online you can also use the report harmful content website at reportharmfulcontent.com
Things you can send to parents
We have also created this guide to online bullying to help support parents and carers, with practical advice and places they can go for more help I their child is affected by bullying online or offline.
