When evaluating anti-bullying programs, it’s equally important to recognize red flags that could indicate a program might be ineffective or even counterproductive.
Here are some key points to watch out for when choosing an anti-bullying program:
1. Unrealistic Promises
- Concern: Programs that claim to "bully-proof" your child are making unrealistic promises. Anyone can be bullied. However, they can become bully resilient.
- Red Flag: Avoid programs that guarantee complete immunity from bullying.
2. Overemphasis on Physical Defense
- Concern: Programs that focus primarily on physical self-defense might encourage aggressive responses and fail to address the underlying issues.
- Red Flag: Phrases like “Just kick him in the ding ding!” suggest a potentially harmful approach.
3. Ignoring the Issue
- Concern: Advising children to simply ignore bullies can lead to escalation and doesn’t solve the underlying problem.
- Red Flag: Any program that promotes denial as a viable solution.
4. Theoretical Psychology
- Concern: Programs based solely on theoretical or academic studies may not translate well into practical, real-world solutions.
- Red Flag: Heavy reliance on untested theories or academic jargon without evidence of real-world effectiveness.
5. Mischaracterizing Bullies
- Concern: Asserting that bullies are merely weak or seeking friendship oversimplifies their motivations and can misguide victims in how to deal with them.
- Red Flag: Descriptions that paint bullies in a sympathetic light without addressing their harmful actions.
6. Whole-School Approaches
- Concern: While whole-school approaches can be effective, they may not provide immediate or specific solutions for individual families.
- Red Flag: Programs that claim to eliminate bullying on a school-wide level but lack focus on individualized strategies.
