Best of 2014: GoodTherapy.org’s Top 10 Bullying Resource Websites
Whether it takes the form of teasing, threats, violence, or other acts, bullying is a significant issue in schools and communities around the world. In the United States alone, nearly a third of students report being bullied each school year, and most who are bullied never report it. The rates of bullying are even higher among students who identify or are perceived as LGBTQ, students with disabilities, and minority students.
In addition to any physical harm that may be inflicted, bullied children can experience a variety of mental health concerns as a result of their exposure to bullying, may struggle academically, and may experience a variety of negative health effects. Bullied children are also 2.4 times more likely to report suicidal ideation than non-bullied peers.
Although awareness of bullying has grown with the Internet and social media, so, too, have opportunities for bullying. Cyber bullying may include the posting of hurtful messages, rumors, photos, or videos, and some cyber bullies have been known to create false profiles or even websites to harass their targets. Cyber bullying is compounded by the fact that what is posted online isn’t always easily erased.
Most experts agree that if a person knows of or witnesses bullying, the best course of action is to talk to a teacher, school administrator, parent, or other trusted adult who can intervene and pursue appropriate prevention measures.
Education is a big part of the solution, of course. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of the 10 best online resources for bullying awareness and prevention—GoodTherapy.org excluded—in 2014. Our selections are based on quality and depth of content, presentation, and functionality.
- NoBullying.com: NoBullying.com was launched by parents whose children experienced bullying—in particular, cyber bullying. After they found few reliable resources for anti-bullying content, NoBullying.com was created to provide practical advice and useful information to those affected by bullying. Today, NoBullying.com is a resource for children and teenagers, educators, and parents to share their experiences with bullying and to get useful and credible information from experts, including psychologists, about the troubling topic.
- StopBullying.gov: StopBullying.gov, managed by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, works closely with the Department of Education, the Department of Justice, and other government agencies to provide information on bullying prevention and appropriate responses. StopBullying.gov also outlines what bullying is and who may be at most risk. Site visitors can access an active blog, resources for topics related to bullying, information on how to talk to children about bullying, and suggestions for how to take steps to resolve a bullying situation.
- Bullying.org: Bullying.org was founded by Canadian father and teacher Bill Belsey in response to the Columbine High School shooting in Colorado and a similar attack in the community of Taber, Alberta, Canada in 1999. Since 2000, Bullying.org has grown into a collaborative, international project that aims to bring positivity to those affected by bullying—helping people understand that they are not alone in being bullied, that it is not their fault, and there are positive ways to deal with bullying. Site visitors can find personal stories, online courses, facts about bullying, and gender- as well as age-specific resources.
- The Bully Project: The Bully Project is a social campaign inspired by the documentary Bully, which chronicled how bullying affected five kids and their families through the 2009-2010 school year. The Bully Project has coordinated screenings of the film in more than 100 cities and has created a supplementary educators’ DVD toolkit to facilitate honest and meaningful dialogue about bullying in schools. Site visitors can find information on the 10 Million Kids campaign, resources for parents, advocates, and educators, and local groups dedicated to supporting those affected by bullying.
- Kidpower: Kidpower is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to creating cultures of caring, respect, and safety for people of all ages, abilities, and walks of life. Kidpower focuses on building confidence and emotional resilience in kids and teens, and features an extensive library of information on bullying prevention. The site also offers online curriculum development and training to educators in conjunction with parents, social workers, and youth leaders.
- Stop Bullying Now Foundation: The Stop Bullying Now Foundation is a nonprofit organization that strives to raise funds for school districts across the United States to address the problem of bullying among children and teens. The foundation uses donations to hire psychologists and mental health expert speakers at schools at all academic levels to talk about the effects of bullying. Through open communication with experts, the foundation aims to empower youth through life skills training, counseling, and creative outlets.
- The Cybersmile Foundation: The Cybersmile Foundation was founded in 2010 by parents of children affected by online bullying. Now one of the leading nonprofits focused on eradicating cyber bullying, the Cybersmile Foundation supports those bullied online through an active social media presence and helpline. Site visitors can find facts about cyber bullying, an active blog, and personal stories designed to create a community of caring and support.
- PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center: The PACER Center was established in 1977 by parents of children and youth with disabilities and was designed to support families facing similar challenges. Staffed primarily by parents, the PACER Center works to enhance the quality of life of children through assistance to families, materials for parents, and leadership in advocacy for quality public education. PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center offers digital-based resources in three categories: for parents and educators, by and for teens, and for elementary school students. Visitors to the website can find videos, personal stories, and resources to inspire and educate communities in a personal and relatable way.
- STOMP Out Bullying: A project of Love Our Children USA, STOMP Out Bullying was established in 2005 to address the issue of bullying online and in communities across the U.S. STOMP Out Bullying focuses on educating children and teens about racism, homophobia, and other forms of hatred and intolerance. STOMP Out Bullying has enlisted high-profile celebrities and global ambassadors to spread its message of standing up for others, respecting peers, and the importance of leadership in schools. Visitors to the website can find celebrity videos and messages, personal stories from youth, an active blog, and facts about bullying.
- The Anti-Bully Blog: The Anti-Bully Blog is a project of Get Out The Box, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring youth across the world through after-school and mentorship programs. The blog includes videos, inspirational songs, and articles about bullying and self-esteem targeted at teens, teachers, and parents.
Have a website you would like to see in our Top 10? Recommend it here.
References:
- Bullying Statistics. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.bullyingstatistics.org/content/facts-on-bullying.html
- Bullying Statistics. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pacer.org/bullying/about/media-kit/stats.asp
- Espelage, D. L., and Holt, M. K. (2013). Suicidal ideation and school bullying experiences after controlling for depression and delinquency. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53.
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