Bullies could be ruining summer for your child
Exams are over and school is out. For some, the summer holidays are the most exciting time of the year. But for others, it’s a time of anxiety, isolation and bullying. Here NIKKI GIANT, CEO and founder of Full Circle Education, speaks on behalf of the Wel
BULLYING is a wide-spread concern in many schools, workplaces and society in general. Sadly, it occurs in many walks of life, from childhood into adulthood.
But away from a school environment, how can we manage bullying during the summer holidays when we might not even know it is happening?
The summer holidays are generally considered a time of freedom as families set off on holiday and young people gather for days out or just to catch up on some much needed rest and recuperation.
But without the same level of adult supervision young people might have at school, bullying within friendship groups, class mates or neighbours can sometimes go unnoticed, turning what should be a time of enjoyment into a very distressing six weeks.
Aiming to raise awareness of bullying in the school holidays, the Welsh Government has produced a range of anti-bullying material and leaflets to signpost and raise awareness of some of the different signs of bullying to look out for.
Bullying is everyone’s business, so it’s essential to be vigilant to these signs; no matter how discrete or obvious.
Is your child avoiding social occasions or resisting the idea of going out with friends or inviting friends over to play? A change in emotions, behaviour and eating habits are also often common signs of victims of bullying. Remember, bullying isn’t always physical, it is often emotional and verbal too.
In the digital age we now live in, cyberbullying is unfortunately very common among young people, especially outside of school, as the use of social media increases.
Research by Childwise shows that seven to 16 year olds spend three hours online every day and 15 to 16 year olds spend 4.8 hours online every day. No doubt this will only increase during the holidays as young people have more free time, increasing the risk of cyberbullying occurring as a result.
While social media is a great tool as a form of communication, it’s often a breeding ground for nasty comments, marginalising others and projecting unwanted opinions. Group chats and messaging systems allow for direct verbal abuse to be given from behind the anonymity of a digital tablet or smartphone screen.
Making our children aware of these matters and encouraging them to be open about what they do online is perhaps the most crucial method of tackling bullying behaviour during the summer holidays and within term time.
Afraid of confrontation, consequences and being ignored, many young people don’t speak out about bullying. Whether it’s a friend or a child, tackling bullying, especially in the holidays, is a challenge, but it is in our hands to help the victims and the bullies to prevent further cases.
It’s also worth considering the significant impact of sibling bullying. A research review by UK psychologists revealed that almost half of British children experience sibling bullying every month, and this type of bullying has been linked to worse mental health and the increased likelihood of being involved in bullying with peers.
With this in mind, communication is key. Talking and encouraging children to be open about the behaviour of others and things that they’re experiencing during the summer holidays can help stop and even prevent bullying of your children or their peers.
Although it might seem challenging at times, spotting the signs of bullying within your child during the summer holidays is the first step to ending it altogether. Bullying is everyone’s business, so be vigilant, communicative and supportive.
Nikki Giant is the CEO and founder of Full Circle Education, a social enterprise based in South Wales, working to inspire children and young people, and tackling the issues that prevent youth from reaching their potential.