Bullying and cyberbullying among students
In their day-to-day life, your child may be exposed to bullying while interacting with other young people, for example at school, during extracurricular activities or on their way to school. Bullying is defined as repeated aggression such as mocking, insulting, humiliating, shoving, hitting, exclusion, etc. Bullying is a group dynamic that can last for long periods of time. The victim is isolated and unable to defend themselves.
In their day-to-day life, your child may be exposed to bullying while interacting with other young people, for example at school, during extracurricular activities or on their way to school. Bullying is defined as repeated aggression such as mocking, insulting, humiliating, shoving, hitting, exclusion, etc. Bullying is a group dynamic that can last for long periods of time. The victim is isolated and unable to defend themselves.
Cyberbullying
Digital media use leads to a wider and faster dissemination of information, unrestricted by place or time (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). This can amplify cases of bullying.
Bullying and cyberbullying can have serious adverse effects on the physical and psychological well-being of the child.
Support your child:
- Make it clear to them that they can talk to you at any time.
- Advise them to identify other trusted adults in school and in their entourage who they can talk to (teachers, school nurses, etc.).
- Explain that they will never be responsible for any mockery they might experience.
- Tell them that you are there to protect them should they be threatened with retaliation.
You have reasons for concern if your child:
- is constantly late for class. Late arrivals may be due to a strategy to avoid classmates in the schoolyard or hallways.
- no longer wants to engage in one of their extracurricular activities.
- often misses school.
- is getting lower grades.
- often has headaches or stomach aches.
- is sleep deprived.
- suffers from eating disorders.
- becomes aggressive.
- becomes isolated and withdrawn.
- shows signs of low self-esteem.
If your child is a victim of bullying or cyberbullying:
- Ask them to describe the situation they are experiencing.
- Listen to them without judgement.
- Ask them if you can take a look at the messages, photos and videos published on the Internet without their consent.
- Inform their teacher and school administration of the situation so they can deal with it as early as possible and stop it.
- Remember that, depending on the situation, the law can protect your child.
- With your child’s consent, collect and keep evidence (photos or screenshots of the content).
- You can call the nearest police department to report the situation.
- Depending on the advice of the police:
- Go to the police department with or without your child, with the evidence.
- File a complaint.
- Report the content and/or block the accounts of bullies.
To help you maintain a consistent approach:
- Remember that your child is a victim; making them feel guilty will not solve the situation and will prevent them from feeling confident enough to tell you and give you as much information as possible.
- Be patient; your child will need time to report what happened to them.
- Offer your child the opportunity to receive psychological support.
If your child witnesses bullying or cyberbullying:
- Tell them that they can play a key role in helping adults identify the situation and get it under control.
- Invite them to talk to you or to a trusted adult in their school.
- Ask them not to participate in the bullying.
- Encourage them to express support for the victim.
- If your child is afraid of retaliation for disagreeing with the situation, advise them to talk to their friends to see if they can act as a group.
What does the law say?
The following legislation could be referred to when filing a complaint:
- Protection of legal personality / Against infringements, art. 28, section 1, Swiss Civil Code
- Defamation, art. 173, section 1, Swiss Criminal Code
- Wilful defamation, art. 174, section 1 and 2, Swiss Criminal Code
- Insult, art. 177, section 1, Swiss Criminal Code
- Threatening behaviour, art. 180, section 1, Swiss Criminal Code