Be an Upstander
Introduction
Between 25 and 30% of students report being bullied (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018). Bullying is a problem and it has lasting effects on our wellbeing. At its core, bullying is about power. A bully acts in different ways to gain or use their power over another person, usually to gain social status. It happens most often in middle school, where the act of bullying usually changes from a physical action, like pushing someone, to a verbal or social action—using words, relationships, or social media to hurt or exploit someone’s status or reputation.
There is hope, though. We have the power to do something to stop bullying. We can be upstanders!
What is an upstander?
There are generally three roles that are played in a bullying scenario. You have the bully and the bullied, which are fairly obvious, but you also have the bystander, who watches it go on, maybe even laughing or playing along, giving the bully social permission and encouragement. About 70% of students report witnessing bullying in their school, making most of us bystanders ( U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2018).
When bystanders intervene and stand up to bullying, they become upstanders. Upstanders tell bullies to stop. They report bullying to responsible adults. They support and encourage the bullied. As a result, upstanders are able to stop bullying more than half the time! Upstanders have a lot of power to stop bullying. Unfortunately, about 80% of the time bystanders don’t act. They don’t become upstanders (National School Climate Center, 2018).
Let's change that! When you see something that isn't okay, say something. When you see someone who needs a friend, be a friend.
Resources to Explore
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OCALI Upstander Strategy List
https://www.ocali.org/up_doc/Anti-Bullying_Upstander_Strategy_List.pdf Links to an external site.
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Five Minute Film Festival: Turning Bystanders into Upstanders: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/film-festival-bullying-prevention-upstanders Links to an external site.
- StopBullying.gov: What can Kids Do? https://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/what-you-can-do/index.html Links to an external site.
Key Ideas
- Bullying can happen anywhere from the school hallway to text or social media.
- We all have the power to help stop bullying.
- Be an upstander. If you witness bullying or feel uncomfortable with what someone else is saying and doing, speak up! Let the person being bullied know you support them and then report bullying to an adult.
- Prevent bullying before it begins. Take steps to create a positive culture of kindness in your schools or online community.
- Seek support! If you are being bullied, tell a trusted adult. Bullying is not okay.
Apply
- Talk with your friends and classmates – What kind of bullying happens in your school or community? What have you seen? What have you heard? What have you experienced? What can you and your friends do to create a more inclusive culture?
- Take Action: Work with friends to create an upstander movement at your school. It can be a formal project, or a commitment to be an ally rather than a bystander.
- Remember, small positive comments or gestures go a long way.
**If you are experiencing bullying or thinking about harming yourself for any reason, talk to a trusted adult immediately.
You matter and are not alone.