Could the Online Classroom Be the Solution to Bullying?

School can be a magical place for children—a place to learn all about the world, its creatures, and how it spins. They solve mathematical equations, conduct science experiments, and interpret the meaning of poems and stories. Such exciting lessons can captivate the attention of children—but too often, the joy and process of learning is overshadowed by bullying.

When a child is in a climate of bullying, it can be incredibly distracting and have a traumatic effect on their ability to learn and succeed. They may struggle to focus or lose interest in class because they are overwhelmed by unkind behavior occurring outside of the classroom. No child should have to experience that.

Thankfully, there are solutions that can bring excitement and joy back to the learning process—one of which is online learning. With online learning, students are given a safe space to express themselves as they study and explore new topics alongside like-minded peers and friends. Students of all grade levels and academic needs can benefit from online learning options offered across the country—and many are tuition-free. At K12-powered schools, educators are committed to providing a safe learning environment for every student, allowing them to focus solely on the adventure of learning and their academic achievement. Could taking classes online to avoid bullying be the right solution for you and your child?

What You Can Do

At home, there are also steps we can take as parents to put a stop to bullying and help each child foster a positive view of who they are—inside and out! Working with your child to build good habits that promote an uplifting outlook is a fantastic way to get started, and it can help spark the spread of kindness in those around them. Here are some examples:

• Do not allow bullying behavior in your home—speak kindly and treat others with respect.
• Explain to your child how words and behavior can impact others, whether positive or negative.
• Plan family activities and outings that foster self-esteem, compassion, kindness, and empathy, such as playing a board game, volunteering in your community, or baking cookies for a neighbor.
• Encourage your child to recognize their strengths and the strengths of others.
• Encourage your child to make friends with and spend time with others who share similar interests.
• Ask your child a lot of questions if you suspect they are a target of bullying or are bullying others.
• Go to your child’s teacher immediately if you suspect bullying.

No child should ever miss out on the joy of learning because of bullying. Let’s work together to instill empathy, compassion, inclusivity, and kindness in our children and in ourselves, and I’m confident that we can make the world a better place.

For more information, visit the K12 Bullying Prevention Resource Hub.