Bullying affects countless people in both physical and digital spaces, but you can be part of the solution by becoming an Upstander! An Upstander is someone who takes action to support a person being bullied or abused, instead of standing by or staying silent. Whether you’re witnessing bullying in person or cyberbullying online, your response can help create a safer, more inclusive environment. The following tips are designed to help you model empathy, and change the culture around bullying.
Information from Impactful’s film, Upstanders and STOMP Out Bullying
About the Author
Betsy Butler (she/her) is a Professional Learning Specialist at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in English, a Master’s in Education, and has been teaching since 1992. Betsy uses her three decades of teaching experience to write and revise our courses while selecting the perfect accompanying texts. Her specialty areas include ELA, special education topics, behavior management, and mental health.
Fun Fact: Betsy’s daily conquest is solving the New York Times crossword puzzle!
Infographic Transcript
- Pause before you act: When you see bullying, take a moment to breathe and think. If you feel unsafe, tell a trusted adult.
- Be kind: Use kind words and actions. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference.
- Trust your gut: If something feels wrong, it probably is. It’s okay to step away from a situation that appears to be unsafe or toxic.
- Reach out: If you see someone bullied, connect with them privately. Let them know you care and that what happened is wrong.
- Use humor: Sometimes it’s hard to talk about bullying. Humor can be a good way to point out that bullying is wrong without blaming someone.
- Be inclusive: Make sure everyone feels welcome and accepted. Celebrate what makes people different.
- Ask for help: If you’re being bullied or you see someone else being bullied, tell a teacher, parent, or another adult you trust.
