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David Anderson (fore), Region Nine education specialist based in Wichita Falls, Texas, talks with parents about bullying at the Sheppard Airmen & Family Readiness Center on Feb. 8, 2013. Anderson's presentation was designed to help parents understand bullying and what they can do to help their children. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson)
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A&FRC hosts anti-bullying seminar
Posted 2/11/2013 Updated 2/11/2013
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by Airman 1st Class Jelani Gibson
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
2/11/2013 - SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- A man with a serene expression in a shirt and tie intently clicks through a PowerPoint presentation as he rattles off the statistics. Having captured the attention of the parents attending the seminar, he carefully lays out exercises for them, handing out knowledge on a nation-wide epidemic that has become a major item upon the social commentary in America: bullying.
To help confront the issue of bullying amongst children on the national scale, the Airmen & Family Readiness Center hosted an anti-bullying seminar Feb. 8.
David Anderson, an education specialist with the Region Nine education service center in Wichita Falls, Texas, presented information to educate parents on what bullying is and how parents can take an active role in combating situations that can affect a pivotal point of their children's lives.
"I help parents understand the dynamics of bullying," Anderson said.
Anderson cited bullying as a major issue and one that bystanders can actively stop as well.
The following statistics were cited from the National Center for Education in Anderson's presentation:
-Approximately 30 percent of students age 12-18 report they have been bullied at school.
-Of those who reported being bullied, approximately 20 percent were bullied by being called names or insulted.
-Almost 20 percent report being the subject of rumors.
-10 percent report being pushed, shoved, tripped or spit on.
Anderson outlined strategies such as raising student awareness, promoting a cooperative environment and an anonymous reporting system for students who do not wish to be identified, as is oftentimes the case.
Anderson also outlined strategies for cyber-bullying as well.
"The internet can serve as a bullying tool," Anderson said.
According to Anderson, the internet is also the next frontier in confronting bullying and recommended educating children on how to navigate their social life on and off the internet, as well as being prepared to find and present evidence of cyber-bullying.
"Be prepared, print out conversations or correspondence," said Anderson. "Those messages can get deleted fast."
Anderson's objective is to inform and empower the parents who attend his seminars.
"I give them the best information I can," said Anderson.
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