Thinking Family: Anti-Bullying and Cyberbullying Course

Having trouble distinguishing the difference between bullying and a simple act of aggression or even a minor misunderstanding? In this unit we will discuss what bullying and cyberbullying is and how they are defined. We take a look at how to determine if bullying is occurring or if this is just a one time situation and we explore the history of combating bullying. We also check in with our case study and use it to give an example of how bullying can get started.

Bullying and cyberbullying have become a serious problem that is finally being talked about more openly. Nevertheless, many parents are unaware of its scale. We invite you to familiarize yourself with the surprising and eye-opening statistics on bullying.

The ability to recognize aggressive behavior is one of the basic weapons in the parents' anti-bullying arsenal. After reviewing our video material, you will be able to distinguish physical bullying from verbal and relational bullying. Our worksheet will help you consolidate and use this knowledge.

Is this just everyday aggression or is it the beginning/continuance of ongoing violence that leads to bullying? Kids, like adults, can be aggressive and they sometimes don’t think about their actions. This can lead to them hurting each other. In this unit we discuss what aggression is, how it is defined, and how to determine if this is nothing to worry about and a one time event or if it is the start of something serious. We explore physical aggression as well as passive aggressive behavior and we use our ongoing case study to give you an example of how simple aggression can quickly turn to bullying.

For many people, passive-aggressive behavior becomes their second nature, making them difficult to coexist with. It is worth getting acquainted with examples of passive aggression, in order to be able to recognize it in everyday life and, for everyone's sake, try to change the attitude of people who use it.

Most cases of aggression can be stopped or at least mitigated. Using certain techniques on people who use violence, we are able to find out what causes them to act this way while also making them think about their future behavior. Learn the steps to take in this situation. 

Worried that your child is being bullied online? In this unit we discuss the various forms of cyberbullying. From cyber stalking to harassment on social media, identity theft to technical aggression, we discuss the various ways cyberbullies attack other children. We use our case study to give you a good example of how cyberbullying can manifest itself. 

Many parents are reluctant to accept that the rights and freedoms of their children should be limited in some way. We think that in the case of the Internet, which is a completely new medium that carries very specific threats, the activity of young people should at least be monitored. Read how to properly define the limits of your child's online freedom.

While the dream of the Internet was to be a repository of knowledge, allowing everyone to access the collective wisdom of the entire world, it has quickly turned out that it is not particularly friendly to young people. Sexting is one of the most serious threats to the safety (real and mental) of our children, so it is worth knowing as much about it as possible.

Even the seemingly innocent behavior of young people on the internet can have serious consequences. Cyberbullying is being treated more and more seriously - mainly because many children do not realize that their jokes and pranks can sometimes bring serious trouble for them and their friends. Work with your child to study the worksheet below to help him or her identify activities that should not be done online.

The age old question is: are bullies born or are they made? Research has shown that both of those things might be true. This unit explains the various spheres of influence that can eventually cause a child to become a bully. We examine the specifics within these spheres to see just how bullies come to be and we take another look at our case study to see how this cycle of bullying has affected his life.

Most cases of bullying begin with insignificant conflict situations, sometimes invisible to others or downplayed by everyone around. When violence grows, and there are more and more acts of aggression, we refer to this growing aggression as "The Pyramid of Hate".

This worksheet will be very helpful in determining if your child is exposed to bullying in his or her immediate surroundings - at home and school. Talk to your child to get his point of view on each of the topics presented.

As with other phenomena that reach the general public, bullying has many myths that often interfere with a full understanding of the problem. See which of the common opinions about peer violence are false.

Worried that your child is vulnerable to being bullied? This unit discusses the ways in which a child becomes a victim of bullying. We dispel some of the myths and focus on the facts to show you different ways to identify if you child is being bullied even if they won’t tell you themselves. By using our ongoing case study and other examples, we give you the information and tools you need to determine if your child is vulnerable to bullying or perhaps is already a victim of bullying.

It is often rare for the people in the child's inner circle to know right away that they are a victim of cyberbullying. Even the closest family is often unaware of it. The following article will show you why victims are not looking for help and how serious cyberbullying is.

Talking about experiencing violence is never easy. The following worksheet will provide you with plenty of information showing you how to start and conduct a conversation so as not to deepen the trauma that your child has experienced. This conversation (done with respect for his/her feelings) will help you decide what steps to take next.

How can an otherwise normal kid become a bully that hurts other children? Here we discuss the other side of the coin, exploring what makes a seemingly normal kid become a bully. You will learn to see the signs in your child’s behavior that could lead to them being aggressive towards other children and we explore the various ways parents, family, school, and other surroundings can affect a child in a way that causes them to become a bully. We also get back to our ongoing case study to discover how our victim’s bullies became who and what they are.

One of the most difficult tasks you will have is convincing your child that his or her actions, which they think are all in good fun, can be a source of great suffering for other people. This section will show you how to clearly explain things to the child.

Even if you only have a trace of suspicion that your child may have been the perpetrator of violence, starting a conversation with them about this subject can be very difficult. This worksheet will help you get that conversation started.

While working with your child, don’t forget that they are just a piece in a larger puzzle, so teachers and other parents should be involved as well. Thanks to this worksheet, you will be able to plan activities that will include all the necessary people involved in the case.

When is watching, not just watching? Bullying often takes place because those who see it in action don’t act. In this unit we discuss the different types of witnesses to bullying that exist and what parts they may actually be playing to make the bullying worse. We also give you information and ideas regarding how to teach your children the correct way to respond when they see someone being bullied.

Bullying witnesses are often in a position to stop the bullying by simply speaking up in opposition to what is happening. However, in most cases, they end up doing nothing. Does this mean that deep down they agree with the bully’s actions or were they just afraid to speak up?

As you have learned in this lesson, being a witness to bullying is sometimes an experience that is no less traumatic than being the victim. It is worth getting to know the child's thoughts on being a witness to bullying so you can help him or her understand the situation better.

It's hard to believe how many problems are caused by acts of bullying that were not stopped in time. Victims of this unpleasant practice suffer in many different ways, from emotional problems associated with lack of acceptance in a group of peers, to constant fear of being humiliated, to health problems such as diarrhea or various forms of pain. When we add educational and social problems (such as the inability to establish closer relationships), the picture becomes even gloomier.

As you know by now, bullying is not a simple issue, and the suffering associated with it affects all parties involved in the conflict. It is worth finding out what dangers the perpetrators, victims, and witnesses of violence are exposed to.

Have you ever wondered how to recognize if your child has been a victim of violence? With this worksheet, you can conduct a preliminary investigation that will help you decide how to proceed with your child.

Many parents do not allow themselves to think that their child could be the victim of violence from their peers. It’s no wonder they feel this way, because the symptoms are sometimes hard to notice, and although there are obvious symptoms, such as physical injuries, most of them are more subtle. Once we are convinced that something is not right, it is important to intervene without doing the child an even greater harm. That's why it's so important to have the first conversations about this subject the right way.

Talking to a child who has been the victim of violence is always difficult. You will find yourself wondering how you control the fear of such a conversation or which questions you should ask and which you should not? This article will give you the necessary guidance and help to prepare you for this difficult conversation.

Just like adults, children should be prepared for situations where peer aggression takes place. By working on the assertiveness of your child, you will equip them with a great tool for dealing with situations involving conflict.

Violence against a child is a problem that indirectly affects entire families. It is not difficult to imagine what emotions parents are tormented by when they find out that their child was the victim of bullying. It is important to try to deal with this problem within the family while making sure to not forget about the child and their needs.

Assertiveness is a skill that can be practiced. We have prepared a series of examples from which you will learn how to wisely guide a child to correctly react to potentially dangerous situations.

When planning a conversation with a child, it is easy to mistakenly misunderstand the child’s intent or needs in order to reach closure on the issue. In this short worksheet we will show you how to behave before, during and after the conversation so as to avoid this possible confusion.