One of the main reasons bullying continues to exist is because it is so underreported. Kids don't tell, and that is a grave problem. They don't tell for a variety of reasons, and until society changes, kids will continue to keep quiet. Parents and educators need to find a way to remove the stigma that bullied kids experience. Bullied kids need and deserve our attention and our support. Kids who tell should be viewed with admiration and respect, and they should be immediately given the help they need.

Kids won't receive the help they need until all of the adults involved in a child's life are acting in unison. When kids are no longer ashamed to be a victim, when they stop trying to live up to parents' unrealistic expectations, when they believe that adults understand what they are going through, and when they truly believe they will receive the help they need, only then will they consistently tell.

Until that time arrives, it is up to parents to report all instances of bullying to the proper social personnel (and sometimes to the authorities). Schools need to understand the full scope and breadth of the problem. If every parent who had a bullied child spoke up every single time the bullying occurred, schools would have no choice but to dedicate more time and attention to preventing the problem

And some will argue that teachers and school personnel have too much to do already, and that any time spend on implementing anti-bullying programs and education will be time taken away from academics. In truth, bullying is seen by kids as a big problem, and most will admit that they would be much happier and better able to learn if they didn't have to worry about bullying.

A climate that tolerates bullying is detrimental to the learning environment. To put an end to bullying would a great social, psychological, and educational benefit to all children.