As we see in the news on almost a daily basis, bullying and cyber bullying are major challenges for students, school leaders and communities. The bullying school officials see is only the tip of the iceberg and only a small part of serious and escalating challenges. Lessons learned clearly show that most shipwrecks occur because the ship’s captain can only see the tip of the iceberg and not the entire iceberg. School and community leaders must realize they are the ship captains and bullying can lead to:
- Loneliness
- Low Self-Esteem
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Suicide
- Aggression
- Weapons
- Violence
- Revenge
- Crime
- Vandalism
- Sexting
- Alcohol/Drug Abuse
- Declining Grades
- Runaways
- Truancy
- Regulatory Fines
- Lawsuits
- Loss of Trust
Laws are not the answer. Over 40 states have anti-bullying laws in place, yet statistics show bullying and bullying consequences are increasing.
Once a year school-wide assembly programs are not the answer. Anti-bullying programs have been available for years, yet bullying and bullying consequences are mounting.
I agree with what Secretary Arne Duncan said at the Federal Bullying Summit in August 2010.
“To break the cycle of bullying we must be bold. The status quo cannot stand.”
What is your school or community doing to address these escalating challenges? Are you empowering your students and parents to be heard? Are your school leaders listening? Are you looking at other options besides the status quo?