When your child is being bullied, the most common response is to tell them to shrug it off, to smile and act like it doesn't bother them, proclaim that no one likes a tattle-tale, or maybe even encourage them to get even and fight back. 

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Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of well-intentioned parents, these suggestions are ineffective and do little more than cause your child to become even more of a target.  The reason for this is that bullying is about control and bullies are relentless in the pursuit of power over their victims.  They rely upon their sphere of influence to manipulate others, including students, parents, teachers, and even school administrators, resulting in a "bully tribe" that takes on a life of its own.  Bullies will not stop until their victim has been rendered entirely defenseless, powerless, and alienated, not only from their peers, but also from trusted adults and any allies in positions of power.

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In 1999, the Columbine High School shooting at the hands of bullied assassins brought the horrifying consequences of bullying to the forefront of American society.  Since that time, the U.S. Federal Government and each one of the 50 states has enacted anti-bullying legislation.  While these laws are intended to protect our children from the painful experience of being bullied, harassed and picked on, ostracized, laughed at, and/or physically harmed, invocation of these laws on the schoolyard, over the internet, and on social media is rarely effective, once again, making the situation worse for the victim.  The unfortunate reality is, our best efforts as a society to stop bullying have failed.  And it's time to make a change.