A survey of 1,000 secondary school students found that 97 per cent want adults to show more respect for each other.
More than four in 10 of the young people surveyed said they have seen adults bullying one another, while six in 10 have witnessed incidents of disrespect.
The concern is that witnessing such incidents, especially online and on social media – sets a bad example for children and young people.
The poll took place ahead of Anti-Bullying Week, which comes to an end tomorrow (Friday, November 16). This year’s theme is “Choose Respect” and a range of resources have been created for primary and secondary schools focused on the importance of showing respect even if you disagree with someone.
The survey also revealed that more than four in five of the young people have seen children bullying each other, including incidents at school (76 per cent), online
(34 per cent) and in the community (27 per cent).
And almost half of the students said they had been victims themselves of face-to-face bullying within the last six months. A third said they had been bullied online.
Forty of the respondents – the equivalent to one child in every classroom – said they had been bullied face-to-face or online every day for the past six months.
Anti-Bullying Week this year also features Stop Speak Support Day specifically to tackle cyber-bullying. The initiative encourages children to become “upstanders” when they see bullying online.
- For details on the work and resources of the Anti-Bullying Alliance, visit www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk