Parenting: Teach our kids to speak up when they witness bullying

Most bullying happens when peers are around — nearly 90% of the time. But here’s the powerful truth: if a peer steps in to support the person being bullied, the bullying usually stops within 10 seconds.That means the people who see bullying happen have the power to stop it. Staying silent gives more power to the bully. But speaking up or stepping in helps take that power away.If the kids witness bullying, they can say something like:“Stop! You’re hurting them!”Or they can simply go over, stand beside the person being bullied, and walk away together.This can feel really hard to do alone, so try to stick with a friend or two who will support them. Being brave together makes a big difference.