Bystanders are those who witness bullying and/or online bullying behaviour happening yet don’t do anything to stop it. Very often, this is because they don’t know what to do or they are afraid of retaliation.
If you witness any form of bullying behaviour, it is important to tell someone. By doing nothing, you are sending a message to the person who is displaying the behaviour that their behaviour is acceptable – and it isn’t!
Standing up to someone who is bullying another is frightening. Telling someone is frightening – but if we don’t do this, the bullying behaviour will continue. People cannot help if they don’t know what is happening.
Whether you know the person being bullied or not, there are things that you, as a bystander, can safely do to support them:
- Don’t laugh and join in
- Don’t encourage the person who is displaying the bullying behaviour in any way
- Don’t video it
- If a video is sent to you, don’t share it or show anyone else other than a trusted adult
- Don’t share or like the posts (online bullying)
- Stay at a safe distance and help the person being bullied to get away
- Write down everything you have seen and heard. This will be really helpful and help give your teacher/trusted adult an understanding of what has been going on
- Don’t become an “audience” for those displaying bullying behaviour
- Reach out in friendship
- Help the bullied in any way you can
- Support those affected by bullying behaviour in private
- If you notice someone being isolated from others, invite them to join you
- Tell an adult
Remember, no act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
Don’t be part of the problem, be part of the SOLUTION!
