Bullying prevention advice for the start of the school year

Psychologist and educator José Antonio Luengo warns that the start of the school year is a high-risk period for bullying, as aggressors often select victims during the first few weeks. Data from a report by the Complutense University and the ColaCao Foundation indicates that, on average, every classroom contains two victims, and one aggressor is present for every two classrooms.

Luengo advises schools to establish a culture of safety by having tutors explicitly state that insults, rejection, or exclusion will not be tolerated. He also suggests implementing a peer-support system where older students visit younger classrooms to act as mentors and provide a sense of protection.

Regarding parental guidance, Luengo criticizes the common phrase “don’t get involved in trouble” (no te metas en líos), arguing it teaches children insensitivity and individualism. Instead, he recommends that families encourage children to be kind and to help others if they witness someone suffering.