Edublog - Bullying Awareness & Pink Shirt Day
- 11 hours ago
- 6 min read
Bullying Awareness
Pink Shirt Day
Bullying Awareness
Bullying is a serious problem that affects people of all ages. It can happen anywhere and can make someone feel scared, sad, or alone. Understanding what bullying is and how it happens is an important step in stopping it. In this reading, you will learn what bullying looks like, where it can happen, and what you can do if you or someone you know is being bullied. By learning about bullying, we can help make our schools and communities safer and kinder for everyone.
What Is Bullying?
Bullying is when someone repeatedly hurts, scares, or threatens another person on purpose. Bullying can happen in many ways, such as:
saying mean or hurtful things
pushing, hitting, or physically harming someone
leaving someone out on purpose
spreading rumours
making fun of someone
Bullying can make people feel sad, scared, or lonely.
Where Can Bullying Happen?
Bullying can happen in many places:
Bullying can happen
At School
Schools are one of the most common places where bullying can happen. Students spend a lot of time together, and conflicts or differences can sometimes lead to hurtful behaviour.
Examples
A group of students laughs at someone’s new haircut and refuses to sit with them at lunch.
A child is not invited to birthday parties or group projects because classmates “don’t like them.”
Someone hides another student’s backpack as a joke that only they find funny.
Bullying can happen
In The Community
Bullying can also happen in neighbourhoods, parks, stores, or any public place outside of school. Someone may be bullied because of their appearance, clothing, or background.
Examples
Teens at a park laugh at and whisper about a person because of the way they dress.
A neighbour constantly makes rude comments about the people who live next door.
Someone walking down the street is called names because of their background or accent.
Bullying can happen
Online
Online bullying is also called cyberbullying. Cyberbullying happens on phones, computers, or any device connected to the internet. Because it happens digitally, it can spread quickly and be hard to escape. Cyberbullying includes hurtful messages, embarrassing photos, or mean comments on social media.
Examples
Someone posts a mean comment about a classmate’s photo on social media.
A group chat starts making fun of a person who isn’t in the chat.
A fake account is created to send hurtful messages to someone.
Embarrassing photos are shared around without the person’s consent.
Bullying can happen
At Work
Bullying doesn’t stop in childhood; adults can be bullied too. Workplaces can sometimes create unfair or stressful environments. Employees may be harassed or treated unfairly by their co‑workers or employers.
Examples
A manager makes fun of an employee in front of others during meetings.
A co‑worker takes credit for someone else’s work and then blames them when something goes wrong.
Employees gang up on a new hire and purposely ignore or exclude them.
No matter where it happens, bullying is harmful and needs to be taken seriously.
8 Important Tips for Handling Bullying
Stay Calm
Try your best to stay calm when someone is bullying you. Bullies often want a reaction. If you stay calm, it takes away their power.
Walk Away
If it is safe, walk away from the person who is bullying you. Leaving the situation helps protect you and shows that you will not give the bully your attention.
Tell A Trusted Adult
Always tell a trusted adult, such as a parent, teacher, school counsellor, or coach. Bullying usually continues if adults don’t know it is happening.
Keep A Record
If the bullying happens more than once, write down what happened, when it happened, and who was involved. If it is online (cyberbullying), take screenshots.
Stay With Friends
Bullies are less likely to bother you when you are with friends or classmates. Being around people you trust can help you feel safer and more confident.
Use A Strong, Confident Voice
If you feel safe to do so, look the bully in the eye and use a strong voice to say something like, “Stop. I don’t like that.” You do not need to argue—just speak clearly.
Don’t Bully Back
Bullying the person back will not solve the problem and may make things worse. Stay respectful, even when the bully is not.
Believe In Yourself
Remember that bullying is never your fault. You deserve respect. Focus on your strengths and the people who care about you.
How To Stop A Bully
Animals Can Also Experience Bullying
Animals can also experience bullying, especially when they live in groups or share space with humans. Sometimes stronger animals pick on weaker ones by chasing them, taking their food, or keeping them away from the group. Pets can be bullied too, for example, when another pet in the home growls at them or won’t let them play. Even wild animals may be pushed out of their territory by others. When animals are bullied, they can feel stressed, scared, or unsafe. It is important for people to watch for these signs and make sure all animals are treated with kindness, care, and love.
Punch - The Lonely Monkey
Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day is an important day in Canada. It happens every year on the last Wednesday of February, and many people take part by wearing a pink shirt to show support for kindness and to stand up against bullying.
Pink Shirt Day began to help people understand how hurtful bullying can be and to encourage everyone to be kind, inclusive, and respectful. It reminds us that our words and actions matter and that we all have a role in making our communities safer.
The Story Behind Pink Shirt Day: Standing Up for Kindness
Pink Shirt Day started in Berwick, Nova Scotia, in 2007. On the first day of school, a new Grade 9 student wore a pink shirt. Some students bullied him because of the colour of his shirt. He felt embarrassed and alone.
Two Grade 12 students, David Shepherd and Travis Price, saw what happened. They wanted to show the bullied student that he was not alone and that bullying is never okay.
That evening, they went to a thrift store and bought many pink shirts and asked other students to wear them.
The next day, most students showed up to school wearing pink. This act of kindness made a big impact. It showed that when people stand together, bullying loses its power. Their message was clear: bullying is wrong, and kindness is strong.
Today, Pink Shirt Day is observed not only in Canada but also in countries such as the United States, China, Japan, France, Australia, and the United Kingdom.
How Schools Observe Pink Shirt Day
Schools across Canada observe Pink Shirt Day with activities that teach kindness and respect. Teachers explain what bullying is and why standing up against it is important. Many schools:
Talk about empathy and inclusion
Read stories or watch videos about kindness
Create posters or school-wide displays
Wear pink shirts to show unity
Decorate classroom bulletin boards with Pink Shirt Day crafts
These activities help students learn how their words and actions can make a difference.
Why Pink Shirt Day Matters
Pink Shirt Day reminds us that kindness is powerful. By wearing pink, people show that they support a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. It teaches us to:
Be kind to others
Include those who feel left out
Stand up when we see bullying
Speak respectfully
Support each other
Pink Shirt Day is a chance for everyone to come together and say no to bullying and yes to kindness.
Concluding Thoughts on Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day began with a simple act of courage and kindness and has grown into a worldwide movement. It teaches us that anyone, no matter how young, can make a positive change. By wearing pink on the last Wednesday of February, we help create a world where everyone feels safe, respected, and valued. Let’s all stand together against bullying and continue to build a kinder future for everyone.
Click below for a reading without the accompanying activities:
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Each resource includes a lesson with printable and digital activities:
Written by: Nicole WT
Copyright © Learn English with NETOL. All rights reserved.
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