P/CP (Point): Anti-bullying measures disputed

Anti-bullying programs reduce bullying instances.

Creating safe environments through anti-bullying programs reduces instances of low academic achievement, truancy and suicide, only some of the harmful effects of bullying.

Without these programs aimed to prevent instances of bullying, these issues will continue to spiral out of control.

Anti-bullying programs are essential to involve students, parents, teachers, and community members in the fight to prevent bullying and create safe environments in homes, schools, and communities.

According to The Campbell Collaboration, an international research network, anti-bullying programs reduce the issue of bullying by about 20 percent when applied. These programs become more effective once individual schools modify them to accommodate for their specific issues, since every school has different problems with bullying.

The success of a bullying program can be seen in a bystanders’ decision to intervene in bullying since bystanders provide the audience in bullying situations. According to research in 2001 by Queens University, when a bystander intervenes in a bullying incident the bullying stops within 10 seconds 57 percent of the time.

Teaching children to speak up when they witness bullying, and informing them on the harmful effects that bullying has will help create safer school environments with less bullying.

If nothing is done about the issue, bullying will become harsher and more prevalent. Anti-bullying programs are successful in their goal of reducing instances of bullying and allowing kids to feel safe online, in their communities and at their schools.