Theatre skills and drama as a working tool for prevention of bullying/cyberbullying

Bullying  happens when actions that are unwanted and aggressive behavior among  school aged children (mostly) involves a real or perceived power  imbalance. This problem is repeated, or has the potential to be  repeated, over time. Both kids who are bullied and who bully others may  have serious, lasting problems and difficulties in social interactions  at an older age.

What is considered bullying?

The actions towards another must be aggressive and include:

• An  Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power sometimes as physical  strength, using embarrassing information, or social status (popularity)  to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in  different situations, even if they involve the same people;

• It  requires repetition: Bullying happens more than once or has the  potential to happen more than once. In some difficult situations,  bullying starts to be a part of daily life.

What includes bullying?

• Making threats;

• Spreading rumors;

• Attacking someone physically or verbally;

• excluding someone from a group on purpose;

• Psychological and emotional violence, etc.

We all  know the tragic happenings in the last decade involving school shootings  being proved the aggressors were once bullying victims. Over the past  30 years research reveals that bullying is one of the principal hazards  to the healthy development of children.

The  psychological and sociological impact of bullying on children are not  only limited to school years but also continue in the later stages of  life, and the risk of adulthood repercussions are high. Bullying affects  both: bullies and victims.

What is cyberbullying?

Cyberbullying  is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones,  computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and  apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can  view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending,  posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about  someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information  about someone else causing embarrassment or humiliation. Some  cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.

Where might cyberbullying occur?

• Social Media, such as Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok;

• Text messaging and messaging apps on mobile or tablet devices;

• Instant messaging, direct messaging, and online chatting over the internet;

• Online forums, chat rooms, and message boards, such as Reddit;

• E-mail;

• Online gaming communities;

• School online groups.

What can a pedagogue do to help prevent this infamous problem?

•  Surveys show that schools that are reported to have students that  experience more bullying behavior are much lower than those in better  schools. Increase the actions that prevent this problematic is a good  maintenance politic at schools;

• Don’t apply traditional disciplinary punishments in bullying;

• Use  creative drama as a vehicle and a working tool to improve communication  and expression. Theatre can help very effectively with groups who are  facing difficult conflicts and drama;

• Equip schools with drama tools to improve dialogue between peers;

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