Kids can play active role in combating bullying among peers, experts say

TORONTO, Cananda – Speakers at a bullying prevention conference are encouraging kids to take an active role in putting an end to the practice.

The Promoting Relationships and Eliminating Violence Network is holding its seventh annual conference to offer tools and strategies to help combat bullying.

The subject has loomed large in the headlines in recent months following the suicides of Canadian teens Rehtaeh Parsons and Amanda Todd — both of whom were bullied.

Nancy Willard, director of Oregon-based Embrace Civility in the Digital Age, says a lot of bullying prevention initiatives focus on the roles of adults surrounding policymaking, education and intervention.

But Willard says her primary focus has been on empowering young people to step forward when they see bullying occur.

She says the three biggest factors which prevent youngsters from speaking out are diffusion of responsibility, fear of embarrassment or retaliation and concerns their peers will look down on them.

Willard says when young people who are being bullied or harassed receive support from friends, it can help decrease feelings of depression and anxiety they may experience.