When high school seniors in Southern California were asked what kids could do to avoid being bullied, here are some of their responses:
- Avoid social networking sites that can send messages anonymously
- "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."
- Being popular is overrated
- Get involved in clubs, sports, and extracurricular activities to meet new people.
- Learn how to take a joke (laugh it off)
- Don't trust a lot of people; get to know someone before you trust them.
- Don't be arrogant
- Be arrogant
- Have a Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- Be funny
- Compliment others
- Take compliments
- Don't be mean
- Dress reasonably
- Don't be loud -- until you're 100% comfortable
- Never let them see you sweat
- Wear clothes you feel good in, it shows
- Be up to date on youtube videos
- Throw a party
- Don't use a rolly-backpack.
- One-strap your backpack.
- Respond to bullying in a way that seems confident, but unaffected.
- Go to Mammoth, and for months after keep referencing "Mammoth."
- Don't go to Mammoth, but for months after reference "Mammoth" just by saying the word and smiling.
- Don't call the Principal by his formal name. Use a nickname.
- Get followers/likes on Instagram.
- Get a popular kid to vouch for you. Do what it takes.
- Go to the basketball games.
- Be optimistic
- Be yourself, but tone it down a bit at school if you're really extreme. There are trade-offs.
- Don't provoke a bully
- Learn the vibe of the school
- Be good to a lot of nice people so they can get your back later.
- Seriously, learn how to be funny.
- Find a few cool people to help you get through it
- Know that when a bully bullies you...they're "wrong." The insults are lies.
- Find a teacher or counselor you trust to talk to.
- Be confident in yourself, but not cocky.
I read these to my kids.
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