Campaign Speech and Advocacy
Campaign Speech and Advocacy
Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a great pleasure that I am a part of this event. Here I
am standing in front of you to run for a position in an organization in our school. I take
part in this event to encourage my fellow students and also all teachers to take
more action in finding solutions to the growing social challenges caused by
bullying.
Today, I’m standing in front of you to speak about an Advocacy Campaign for
anti-bullying.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, nearly a third of all students aged 12 –
18 reported having been bullied at school in 2007, some almost daily. In 2014, the Centers for
Disease Control and Department of Education released the first federal definition of bullying.
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place online, through either email, chat rooms, social
networking services, text messages, instant messages, website postings, blogs, or a combination
of means. Cyberbullies may conceal their identity so that their victim experiences an anonymous
attack. The content of cyberbullying can consist of all of the types of content mentioned in
emotional bullying above, including posting insulting and derogatory comments about someone
or sending such comments to someone; sending mean or threatening messages; gossiping about
someone online including posting sensitive or private information; impersonating someone to
cast that person in a bad light, and excluding someone from an online page or group.
The NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) report reveals that:
There is noticeably more bullying in middle school (grades 6, 7, and 8) than in senior high
school. Emotional bullying is the most prevalent type of bullying, with
pushing/shoving/tripping/spitting on someone being second. Cyberbullying is – for the middle-
grade levels – the least prominent type of bullying, but it is greater in the last three years of high
school than in grades 6 – 9. Most school bullying occurs inside the school, a lesser amount on
school property, and even less on the school bus. The least occurs in other areas. Middle school
students, and particularly 6th graders, were most likely to be bullied on the bus
Why Do People Bully?
There is no good reason for one person to bully another. However, without addressing
the cause of such behavior, bullying will continue. The truth is, it could be anyone or
several of these reasons. Some common reasons for bullying include: Feeling socially
or academically inadequate, Low self-esteem, Anger issues, Being a survivor of
bullying:
When I’m in grade 6 every day my classmates bullied me because they knew I wasn't fighting
back against them. I'm bullied because they know I'm looking low on myself and I'm able to get
them out sometimes when it comes to competitions.
Cyberbullying Preventions
Since the consequences of cyberbullying can be so severe — for the bully as well as the
victim — it’s imperative for teachers, parents, and even other students, to work together
to prevent cyberbullying. The following are some strategies that can help.
Teachers
Let students know that it’s OK for them to report any online abuse that
happens to them.
Create an environment of mutual respect and tolerance in the classroom.
Incorporate the internet and social media into lesson plans to teach students
how to be respectful to others online.
Parents
Students
Think before making every post online, and avoid making posts that can hurt
your reputation.
Avoid putting inappropriate photos online because they can be the fuel that
cyberbullies use.
Treat everything and everyone with respect.
Don't reject your child's complaints that he or she is being bullied online or
that someone else is acting poorly online. A young person may exaggerate or
dismiss a situation out of guilt. Talk to your child and help them express
what's going on in their own terms. You know your child best, but keep in
mind that coming to you with a concern like cyberbullying required a lot of
courage on their part. Maintain your composure, listen to them out, and then
investigate the issue to see whether it necessitates further involvement.
Even if it is merely informally, parents should call the school to report the
event. You never know what type of bullying is going on at school, and your
complaint might be the one that prompts the administration to act or intensify
its response to the charges.