Help Prevent Bullying with Ross Ellis, Founder of STOMP Out Bullying
October was National Bullying Prevention Month. It’s unfortunate that school bullying is still a huge issue, but non-profit organization STOMP Out Bullying is leading the charge to choose kindness and empathy over violence and hate.
In fact, they conducted a survey amongst teens to get their perspective on the current state of bullying and acts of kindness in America, and the results showed that while there’s a long way to go before we eradicate the problem — more teens are feeling empowered to stand up to bullying and report bad behavior. Almost 95% of teens believed that seeing more kindness around them will encourage them to act more kindly around others. This makes sense; we’ve all heard the saying, “what goes around comes around.”
Here to speak about STOMP Out Bullying is the founder, Ross Ellis.
How has bullying evolved in the digital age?
Ross: Bullying is not new; it’s been around for hundreds of years. Before the internet, bullying ended once you got home from school or away from an uncomfortable social situation. Today, cyberbullying is a constant form of harassment, 24/7. It has a greater impact on its recipients and a wider reach as cyberbullying can go viral in an instant.
Before the digital age came into play, bullying was part of our youth’s existence for years. With technology in the forefront of our lives, it was only a matter of time that bullying evolved into the digital age… We have computers, mobile phones, tablets, apps, gaming and more. All of this allows a user to post cruel remarks about others because they can anonymously hide behind their digital devices.
Signs your teens could be a victim of this cruel online behavior:
- Loss of interest using his/her digital devices
- Won’t talk about why they are avoiding their computer and cell phone
- Gets tense and stressed out when receiving e-mail, text, or instant message
- Withdraws from family and friends
- Is reluctant to attend school and other activities
- Becomes sad, angry and/or frustrated, and seems to worry a lot
- Grades decline
- Show changes in their eating and/or sleeping habits
How is STOMP Out Bullying working to promote acts of kindness?
Ross: Our Educator’s Bullying Prevention Toolkit promotes teaching empathy and kindness... We even have an Ambassador named KIND who leads the global kindness movement! KIND delivers kindness to schools, communities, public events, and social media around the world. Our Teen Ambassadors promote kindness when they speak at schools. Everything STOMP Out Bullying stands for is about kindness and empathy.
What are some ways that teens can stand up to bullying?
Ross: If a teen is being verbally and/or emotionally bullied, the best thing they can do is to become empowered. By standing up to the bully with confidence and using comebacks, teens are in a position to remove the bully’s power and take back their own.
For instance if someone calls you fat, you should look at them in the eyes and… ask, “Does that make you feel better?” Then the teen must walk away without any conversation. The bully is standing without power and the bullied teen feels powerful. These comebacks do stop bullies.
If a teen is being harassed online, the worst thing they can do is to respond. They should delete the post and block the person. If a teen is being threatened, on or offline, parents should be told immediately so they can report this to law enforcement. Text threats [or] posts should be printed out. These should be brought to the attention of law enforcement by the teen’s parents. Once it is brought to law enforcement, posts and texts should be deleted and blocked.
Lastly, if someone asks you for a nude photo, no matter how much they express their love for you, don’t do it. It will go viral in less than a few minutes. Additionally, by sending nude photos you could be arrested for transmitting pornography online. Teens should know that if a boy really loves a girl, they won’t ask for a nude photo.
How can others get involved in STOMP Out Bullying?
Ross: STOMP Out Bullying has a global social media campaign and we rely on those who want to get involved to share posts online and help to raise awareness.
October is a great month to get involved as the first Monday of every October is Blue Shirt Day® World Day of Bullying Prevention™. In 2017 it will be observed on Monday, October 2. We ask everyone to GO BLUE and make that the day that bullying prevention is heard around the world.
Senior Psychology Graduate and MSW Students can apply to be HelpChat Line Counselors. Teens 13 ‐ 24 years of age may apply to be a STOMP Out Bullying Teen Ambassador.
Have you got a story about standing up to a bully? Reach out to us on Twitter, or leave a comment in the section below.
