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Some will probably down vote because what I offer is not so much a direct answer as a loose collection of observations over time, in the hopes that it will generate ideas and discussion.

Here is footage showing what it took to stop years of bullying in a zero tolerance school in NSW australia. There were roughly 50 bullying reports on the head masters desk filed by this boy at the time he finally took matters into his own hands. Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfn4OxCPQs .

In case the link goes dead, the video shows a gang of kids picking on a much larger boy between classes at school. One of the gang has some boxing experience and lands a couple of pouches to the victims face, while the victim attempts to de-escalate. Finally the victim losses it, rushes the bully and throws him to the ground hard. The bully was fortunate that the victim didn't hold a grudge.

As a martial arts instructor I have made a study of bullying and bullies, and yet my own daughter was bullied in school and there was nothing I could do to change it until we pulled her out of that school.

The first thing you need to remember as a parent is that your son, ultimately, is on his own in dealing with the bullies unless you can remove him from the situation. The schools are helpless, and your son is a target only because the bullies know he can't fight back effectively.

Martial arts is of limited help - 1 black belt rank is only equivalent to 10 lbs weight advantage given equal fitness and general athleticism. 8 year olds are not generally at a real blackbelt level (systems with junior black belts have the kids start at a lower rank when they hit 12-15).

The average bully is athletic and well spoken, with higher than average self esteem - exactly the kids that are well liked by adults, and can talk themselves out of taking responsibility. Since their self esteem is in part based on their ability to ride roughshod over their peers, there is no benefit to them to stop bullying. Sending them to anti bullying classes is more likely to make them more effective as bullies than to stop bullying behavior.

Even the presence of teachers is no defence. A review of the security recordings from the Bailey O'Neal event shows that four teachers were present and moving towards the activity before the first punch was thrown, nevertheless a 6th grade boy died for doing all of the "appropriate" things.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Canadian boy took the courageous step of going to school early and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake daily, as they came into the school. The bullying stopped very quickly as he was known as everyone's friend.

Some will probably down vote because what I offer is not so much a direct answer as a loose collection of observations over time, in the hopes that it will generate ideas and discussion.

Here is footage showing what it took to stop years of bullying in a zero tolerance school in NSW australia. There were roughly 50 bullying reports on the head masters desk filed by this boy at the time he finally took matters into his own hands. Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfn4OxCPQs .

In case the link goes dead, the video shows a gang of kids picking on a much larger boy between classes at school. One of the gang has some boxing experience and lands a couple of punches to the victims face, while the victim attempts to de-escalate. Finally the victim losses it, rushes the bully and throws him to the ground hard. The bully was fortunate that the victim didn't hold a grudge.

As a martial arts instructor I have made a study of bullying and bullies, and yet my own daughter was bullied in school and there was nothing I could do to change it until we pulled her out of that school.

The first thing you need to remember as a parent is that your son, ultimately, is on his own in dealing with the bullies unless you can remove him from the situation. The schools are helpless, and your son is a target only because the bullies know he can't fight back effectively.

Martial arts is of limited help - 1 black belt rank is only equivalent to 10 lbs weight advantage given equal fitness and general athleticism. 8 year olds are not generally at a real blackbelt level (systems with junior black belts have the kids start at a lower rank when they hit 12-15).

The average bully is athletic and well spoken, with higher than average self esteem - exactly the kids that are well liked by adults, and can talk themselves out of taking responsibility. Since their self esteem is in part based on their ability to ride roughshod over their peers, there is no benefit to them to stop bullying. Sending them to anti bullying classes is more likely to make them more effective as bullies than to stop bullying behavior.

Even the presence of teachers is no defence. A review of the security recordings from the Bailey O'Neal event shows that four teachers were present and moving towards the activity before the first punch was thrown, nevertheless a 6th grade boy died for doing all of the "appropriate" things.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Canadian boy took the courageous step of going to school early and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake daily, as they came into the school. The bullying stopped very quickly as he was known as everyone's friend.

Some will probably down vote because what I offer is not so much a direct answer as a loose collection of observations over time, in the hopes that it will generate ideas and discussion.

Here is footage showing what it took to stop years of bullying in a zero tolerance school in NSW australia. There were roughly 50 bullying reports on the head masters desk filed by this boy at the time he finally took matters into his own hands. Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfn4OxCPQs .

In case the link goes dead, the video shows a gang of kids picking on a much larger boy between classes at school. One of the gang has some boxing experience and lands a couple of pouches to the victims face, while the victim attempts to de-escalate. Finally the victim losses it, rushes the bully and throws him to the ground hard. The bully was fortunate that the victim didn't hold a grudge.

As a martial arts instructor I have made a study of bullying and bullies, and yet my own daughter was bullied in school and there was nothing I could do to change it until we pulled her out of that school.

The first thing you need to remember as a parent is that your son, ultimately, is on his own in dealing with the bullies unless you can remove him from the situation. The schools are helpless, and your son is a target only because the bullies know he can't fight back effectively.

Martial arts is of limited help - 1 black belt rank is only equivalent to 10 lbs weight advantage given equal fitness and general athleticism. 8 year olds are not generally at a real blackbelt level (systems with junior black belts have the kids start at a lower rank when they hit 12-15).

The average bully is athletic and well spoken, with higher than average self esteem - exactly the kids that are well liked by adults, and can talk themselves out of taking responsibility. Since their self esteem is in part based on their ability to ride roughshod over their pets, there is no benefit to them to stop bullying. Sending them to anti bullying classes is more likely to make them more effective as bullies than to stop bullying behavior.

Even the presence of teachers is no defence. A review of the security recordings from the Bailey O'Neal event shows that four teachers were present and moving towards the activity before the first punch was thrown, nevertheless a 6th grade boy died for doing all of the "appropriate" things.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Canadian boy took the courageous step of going to school early and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake daily, as they came into the school. The bullying stopped very quickly as he was known as everyone's friend.

Some will probably down vote because what I offer is not so much a direct answer as a loose collection of observations over time, in the hopes that it will generate ideas and discussion.

Here is footage showing what it took to stop years of bullying in a zero tolerance school in NSW australia. There were roughly 50 bullying reports on the head masters desk filed by this boy at the time he finally took matters into his own hands. Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfn4OxCPQs .

In case the link goes dead, the video shows a gang of kids picking on a much larger boy between classes at school. One of the gang has some boxing experience and lands a couple of pouches to the victims face, while the victim attempts to de-escalate. Finally the victim losses it, rushes the bully and throws him to the ground hard. The bully was fortunate that the victim didn't hold a grudge.

As a martial arts instructor I have made a study of bullying and bullies, and yet my own daughter was bullied in school and there was nothing I could do to change it until we pulled her out of that school.

The first thing you need to remember as a parent is that your son, ultimately, is on his own in dealing with the bullies unless you can remove him from the situation. The schools are helpless, and your son is a target only because the bullies know he can't fight back effectively.

Martial arts is of limited help - 1 black belt rank is only equivalent to 10 lbs weight advantage given equal fitness and general athleticism. 8 year olds are not generally at a real blackbelt level (systems with junior black belts have the kids start at a lower rank when they hit 12-15).

The average bully is athletic and well spoken, with higher than average self esteem - exactly the kids that are well liked by adults, and can talk themselves out of taking responsibility. Since their self esteem is in part based on their ability to ride roughshod over their peers, there is no benefit to them to stop bullying. Sending them to anti bullying classes is more likely to make them more effective as bullies than to stop bullying behavior.

Even the presence of teachers is no defence. A review of the security recordings from the Bailey O'Neal event shows that four teachers were present and moving towards the activity before the first punch was thrown, nevertheless a 6th grade boy died for doing all of the "appropriate" things.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Canadian boy took the courageous step of going to school early and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake daily, as they came into the school. The bullying stopped very quickly as he was known as everyone's friend.

Some will probably down vote because what I offer is not so much a direct answer as a loose collection of observations over time, in the hopes that it will generate ideas and discussion.

Here is footage showing what it took to stop years of bullying in a zero tolerance school in NSW australia. There were roughly 50 bullying reports on the head masters desk filed by this boy at the time he finally took matters into his own hands. Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfn4OxCPQs .

In case the link goes dead, the video shows a gang of kids picking on a much larger boy between classes at school. One of the gang has some boxing experience and lands a couple of pouches to the victims face, while the victim attempts to de-escalate. Finally the victim losses it, rushes the bully and throws him to the ground hard. The bully was fortunate that the victim didn't hold a grudge.

As a martial arts instructor I have made a study of bullying and bullies, and yet my own daughter was bullied in school and there was nothing I could do to change it until we pulled her out of that school.

The first thing you need to remember as a parent is that your son, ultimately, is on his own in dealing with the bullies unless you can remove him from the situation. The schools are helpless, and your son is a target only because the bullies know he can't fight back effectively.

Martial arts is of limited help - 1 black belt rank is only equivalent to 10 lbs weight given equal fitness and general athleticism. 8 year olds are not generally at a real blackbelt level (systems with junior black belts have the kids start at a lower rank when they hit 12-15).

The average bully is athletic and well spoken, with higher than average self esteem - exactly the kids that are well liked by adults, and can talk themselves out of taking responsibility. Since their self esteem is in part based on their ability to ride roughshod over their pets, there is no benefit to them to stop bullying. Sending them to anti bullying classes is more likely to make them more effective as bullies than to stop bullying behavior.

Even the presence of teachers is no defence. A review of the security recordings from the Bailey O'Neal event shows that four teachers were present and moving towards the activity before the first punch was thrown, nevertheless a 6th grade boy died for doing all of the "appropriate" things.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Canadian boy took the courageous step of going to school early and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake daily, as they came into the school. The bullying stopped very quickly as he was known as everyone's friend.

Some will probably down vote because what I offer is not so much a direct answer as a loose collection of observations over time, in the hopes that it will generate ideas and discussion.

Here is footage showing what it took to stop years of bullying in a zero tolerance school in NSW australia. There were roughly 50 bullying reports on the head masters desk filed by this boy at the time he finally took matters into his own hands. Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=isfn4OxCPQs .

In case the link goes dead, the video shows a gang of kids picking on a much larger boy between classes at school. One of the gang has some boxing experience and lands a couple of pouches to the victims face, while the victim attempts to de-escalate. Finally the victim losses it, rushes the bully and throws him to the ground hard. The bully was fortunate that the victim didn't hold a grudge.

As a martial arts instructor I have made a study of bullying and bullies, and yet my own daughter was bullied in school and there was nothing I could do to change it until we pulled her out of that school.

The first thing you need to remember as a parent is that your son, ultimately, is on his own in dealing with the bullies unless you can remove him from the situation. The schools are helpless, and your son is a target only because the bullies know he can't fight back effectively.

Martial arts is of limited help - 1 black belt rank is only equivalent to 10 lbs weight advantage given equal fitness and general athleticism. 8 year olds are not generally at a real blackbelt level (systems with junior black belts have the kids start at a lower rank when they hit 12-15).

The average bully is athletic and well spoken, with higher than average self esteem - exactly the kids that are well liked by adults, and can talk themselves out of taking responsibility. Since their self esteem is in part based on their ability to ride roughshod over their pets, there is no benefit to them to stop bullying. Sending them to anti bullying classes is more likely to make them more effective as bullies than to stop bullying behavior.

Even the presence of teachers is no defence. A review of the security recordings from the Bailey O'Neal event shows that four teachers were present and moving towards the activity before the first punch was thrown, nevertheless a 6th grade boy died for doing all of the "appropriate" things.

At the other end of the spectrum, a Canadian boy took the courageous step of going to school early and greeting everyone with a smile and handshake daily, as they came into the school. The bullying stopped very quickly as he was known as everyone's friend.