October is National Bullying Prevention Month. To raise awareness of bullying, Attorney David Daggett of Daggett Shuler Law joined the WFMY News 2 Morning Team at Jefferson Elementary School to help support the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County School District’s anti-bullying campaign. An article on their efforts appears here.
Types of Bullying
Bullying is any unwanted, aggressive action involving a type of power imbalance—real or perceived. The federal government defines bullying as “any aggressive or unwanted behavior used again and again to isolate, harm, or control another person.”
The website Stop Bullying defines cyberbullying as bullying that takes place over digital devices—such as cell phones, computers, and tablets. It can occur through texts and apps—or online through social media, forums, or gaming sites.
Bullying behavior can include posting, sending, or sharing harmful, false, mean, or negative content with regard to another person. This extends to the sharing of personal or private information about another person with the intent to cause humiliation or embarrassment.
Frequency of Bullying
Information released by Stop Bullying uncovers the following statistics:
- 28% of U.S. students in grades 6–12 have been bullied
- 9% of students in grades 6–12 have been cyberbullied
- 15% of high school students were cyberbullied last year
- 55% of LGBTQ students say they have been cyberbullied
- 30% of young people admit to having bullied others
- 71% of young people say they have witnessed bullying
- 70% of school staff say they have witnessed bullying
- 62% of school staff witness bullying twice a month
- 41% of school staff witness bullying once a week
- 57% of bullying stops within 10 seconds if there is an intervention
Look for the Signs
There are many signs that a child is being bullied. Parents and guardians should keep an eye out for the following:
- Frequent stomach or headaches, or faking illnesses
- Changes in eating habits
- Nightmares or difficulty sleeping
- Loss of interest in school or declining grades
- Avoiding social situations or losing friends
- Decreased feelings of self-worth
- Destructive behaviors such as self-harm or running away
We Support the Triad Community
As always, David Daggett and the rest of Daggett Shuler Law are proud to help support efforts to do good in our local area. Our firm is heavily involved in the Triad community. We believe in setting an example and supporting those working to improve the quality and health of our communities.
About Daggett Shuler
The personal injury and disability lawyers at Daggett Shuler Law represent clients throughout North Carolina. Visit our website or call 336-724-1234 for more information or a free consultation.
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