Alison Field, Families and Professionals Advisor (Child Enquiries) shares some information about this year's Anti-Bullying Week:
I hope the return to school and autumn term has gone well so far. Please do get in touch with us if you have encountered any hurdles, need some information or want to talk things through.
With children and young people back at school or college, we may think about how young people are communicating with each other both face to face and online. We regularly hear debates about whether mobile phones should be allowed in schools. It’s important to acknowledge that mobile phones and social media can have a real draw for young people. For some, making friends may be easier online, rather than at school and out in the community. However, the ‘unwritten rules’ of social media can be very confusing such as thinking before you share information (especially taking care when posting photos), keeping passwords safe and to know who you are ‘talking’ to.
Every November, the Anti-Bullying Alliance coordinate an ‘Anti Bullying Week’. This year the campaign is encouraging everyone to think about the power of respectful relationships and how this can help to prevent bullying both face to face and online.
This year the theme in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is CHOOSE RESPECT and in Scotland the aim is to start a national conversation: RESPECT…WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU? The aim is that through Anti Bullying Week, we can do something positive to counter the harm and hurt that bullying causes and encourage children and young people from across the UK to create and be part of kinder communities. It could well be that your child’s school are involved - if not, do encourage them.
As part of the awareness week, ‘Odd Socks Day’ will take place on Tuesday 12th November. This encourages adults and children to wear odd socks to school or the workplace, to celebrate what makes us all unique.
This is supported by CBBC and CBeebies star Andy Day (from Andy’s Dinosaur Adventures, Andy’s Safari Adventures and more) along with his band Andy and the Odd Socks. This is the song they released for Odd Socks Day last year:
If your workplace or child’s school does take part in Odd Socks Day, we’d love to hear about it or see some photos!
There are a range of activities and resources to support conversations around respect, kindness and bullying, which you can download for free from Twinkl:
In England, Wales and Northern Ireland the awareness week is co-ordinated by the Anti-Bullying Alliance. In Scotland it is co-ordinated by Respect Me. Please visit their websites for more information.
(Please see our 'Snippets of Advice' blog regarding online safety for more information about using the internet safely.)
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