Bullying in Spain: data and tips to end it

Regardless of the age we have, all the people that has been through school have been spectators or victims of bullying in a greater or lesser extent. From the seemingly innocent “for eyes” or “cow”, many children have suffered problems during their childhood.

Fortunately, the educational community has stopped taking such comments as “things of children” and have given it the name it deserves: bullying. A type of intimidation that has increased with the access of young people to new technologies, from where they act in a cowardly way and hidden against their peers. Butwhatexactlyis bullying?

Experts define it as verbal or physical intimidation by one or more classmates to another student in the class. The victim is continuously harassed by physical or psychological or both and feel insecure, helpless and alone

TYPES OF BULLYING

As we have mentioned before, the aggressions can be physical, for example, kicks, pushes or blows, as well as verbal by means of insults, threats, discriminations or nicknames.

But with the new technologies bullying is not only left in the classroom, but goes further. It is what is known as ‘cyberbullying’. In this case bullying and harassment occur through digital media.This type of case is more difficult to control since it allows the stalker to be protected under anonymity.

 

How to know if your child is harassed

Many parents are concerned about whether their children suffer from this problem, but the latter, out of fear or embarrassment, do not always tell them what happens.

If this happens there are some signs that the parents can detect as:

• Sleepdisturbances.

• Symptoms like irritability, restlessness, anxiety, sadness, etc.

• Eating Disorders.

• Low academic performance.

Bullying data in Spain

As it is reflected in the web ofEcoDiarioThe telephone against bullying (900018018) of the Ministry of Culture and Sports has received 5,552 calls in 2016 of which 1,955 have been identified as possible cases of bullying.

These are only the data collected by this phone. However, there are others provided by the NGO “Save the Children” as published inEl Paísand are also worrying because of them is extracted that 9.3% of students are harassed in Spain. In some autonomous communities like Murcia or Andalusia the percentage amounts to more than 12%.

This report also explains the main explain that stalkers give when asked about their behavior and, in most cases this is: “I do not know.” This is a very significant thing, since then there is a problem of background in the education that is offered to the young people, as assures the experts in psychology.

HOW TO PREVENT BULLYING

Faced with this worrying data, different agencies and institutions are trying to promote campaigns to raise awareness and prevent bullying. Many schools are also implementing different methods to avoid bullying in their centers.

One of the methods that has proven effective in preventing bullying is KiVa. This Finnish methodology has considerably reduced harassment in Finnish schools.

The curious thing about this method is that it focuses on witnesses of harassment, who often see and detect bullying, but do nothing. By not acting in the face of harassment, they reinforce the figure of the stalker. Thanks to this method, witnesses become aware of acting and avoid harassment. They are more empathic with the victim and do not stand idly by in the face of violent or unpleasant situations.

On the other hand, there are certain guidelines that parents and teachers should follow if they see that their children or students are victims of this harassment.

In the case of parents, they should detect if their children have mood swings or ask about their relationships at school. If they perceive that there are indications or possibilities that their child is being bullied, the first step is to talk to the teacher immediately, in addition to protecting the child from certain situations. The important thing is to make him feel safe and take him to a counselor to avoid future psychological disorders.

The teacher figure is also importantbecause he must detect and correct this bullying situation in the classroom. To do this, you must be aware of changes in students’ performance, avoid mockery and insults in class, treat all students equally to avoid jealousy and observe the type of social relationships that exist in case anyone is isolated.

From TutorAsap, center specialized in tutoring classes for students of the International Baccalaureate, we have activated different protocols and trained teachers to prevent such situations arise between students.

Among other tools used in their classes is the aspect of socialization and teamwork, so that students work in a friendly atmosphere and help for the benefit of all students. Without a doubt, a center that bets on an innovative education to train the professionals of the future.