Some common ways schools work to prevent and respond to bullying are ineffective and, in some cases, counterproductive, concludes a report by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
Tough penalties for bullying, which have grown popular as public awareness of its effects has grown, may actually make the problem worse, the researchers found. That’s because victims may view the consequences as too harsh or fear retaliation, which may reduce reporting of bullying.
The report also recommends discontinuing zero-tolerance policies, which lead to suspensions for offenders and “are not effective at reducing bullying.”
