Anti Bullying Day is an opportunity for the world to join together and stand up against bullying in our society. It’s recognised at different times of the year depending on what country you live in. These are special days that bring awareness and focus to help stop bullying, as well as standing up for those who are currently being bullied.
The idea of Anti Bullying Day originated in Canada 🇨🇦 in 2007. David Shepherd and Travis Price bought and distributed 50 pink shirts when fellow classmate Charles McNeil was bullied for wearing one on the first day of school. Now, Anti Bullying Day is celebrated all over the world in countries such as France 🇫🇷, Australia 🇦🇺, Lebanon 🇱🇧 and the UK 🇬🇧. Regardless of when a country commemorates the day, it is always important to speak out against bullying.
Bullying is not an easy thing to cope with. It can make people feel helpless, vulnerable and confused. Not knowing what to do or how to stop it is difficult, and it can make you feel very alone. The invention of the internet has unfortunately rapidly spread the problem, as bullies now have the ability to reach their victims through social media. No matter where bullying is taking place, it is important to fight against it. Children should tell someone they trust, whether that’s their parents, a teacher or a counsellor, if they see anything that isn’t right either online or in person.
Being kind can make a world of difference to someone’s day, no matter how small. Kindness is more important now than ever before, and even small acts can make a huge difference. To combat bullying, you could:
- Smile at others
- Hold the door open
- Say thank you
- Grab a coffee with friends
- Ask people how they are
There are so many ways you can be kind to people, so we encourage you to think about what you could do to those around you. Anti Bullying Day isn’t just limited to one day, but it serves as a reminder throughout the rest of the year that we need to do all we can to tackle bullying.
