Oprah’s Angel Network

In August, we asked for your thoughts and ideas on how to deal with the issue of bullying. Check out what Angel Network community members have to say, the actions they’re taking to put a stop to it and what you can do.

Actions and Advice from Members

Change Behaviors of Young People

If a young person is acting aggressively toward his or her peers, a natural instinct it to try and change the behavior. Read how one member thinks focusing on children’s social skills and character development is key. Another member from South Africa is taking a creative approach to changing the behaviors of young people: “Having been at the receiving end of bullying for most of my school-going years, I now find fulfillment in helping youth to use creativity and imagination as tools toward building confidence, and understanding themselves better as human beings.” Read his story.

Pictured here are veterans on an after school "presence patrol" in Chicago's Bronzeville neighborhood.

Photo courtesy of member

Get Adults Involved

While a first step may be to work with the bully to change his or her behavior, several members reminded us of the importance adults’ behaviors play in putting a stop to bullying. As one member put it, adults need to be models of love and acceptance, so that children have a better set of behaviors to model. Another approach for adults is to simply be more present in their communities, like this group of veterans, who are working to keep Chicago students safe.

High-Risk for Bullying

As one member points out, children with disabilities or special needs are often at a higher risk for being victims of intolerance or bullying. (Read what she’s doing.) The same is true for minorities. As a young black girl attending a primarily white elementary school, another member shares her experiences with namecalling.

What You Can Do

These websites offer up ideas on how you can help put a stop to bullying:

• Stop Bullying Now campaign: Content for both kids and adults
• Education.com: Information about online or cyberbullying
• Anti-Bullying Resources from GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network

Related Content

• A recent Angel Network grantee, Challenge Day, holds workshops at schools to improve the emotional health of students—thereby decreasing the likelihood of bullies emerging among the student population. Read the Challenge Day story

• A May 2009 episode of “The Oprah Winfrey Show” was dedicated to bullying. See what was discussed in The Truth About Bullying.