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App offers parents tips to help combat bullying

By Kristi King

U.S. Department of Health & Human Services provides detailed advice on bullying. Click here for information.

WASHINGTON – Some parents joke that raising kids would be easier if children came with instruction manuals.

When it comes to addressing the very serious issue of bullying, a new smart phone application might be just what’s needed.

Created by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration the KnowBullying app has easy to follow tips to prevent, recognize and stop bullying.

“Not just information, but good information,” says Masami Stratton, who teaches social studies at Howard County High School. Advice included in the app is supported by research findings and is well vetted.

Stratton say parents will find particularly helpful the fact that the app provides age-appropriate conversation starters.

Information and advice on the KnowBullying app specifically targets teenagers, children ages three to six and ages seven to thirteen.

One theme that’s universal for all the age groups is to get kids talking.

Research shows “that if you’re able to engage in at least 15 minutes of regular conversation on a daily basis with your children you’re going to see some very significant outcomes later on — including reducing the impact of becoming involved in bullying,” says the administration’s expert on bullying, Ingrid Donato.

Donato says asking questions about things that seem innocuous and are easy for kids to talk about “will open up a world of dialog for them, so that they’re regularly engaging with you.”

Examples of conversation starters:

  • 3 to 6 years: What was the best thing that happened to you today?
  • 7 to 13 years: Share one person you met or played with.
  • Teens: Share one thing that happened today, or talk about the day’s schedule.

Warning signs of bullying include:

  • Changes in eating habits such as skipping meals or coming home especially hungry
  • Not wanting to go to school or loss of interest in school work
  • Sudden loss of friends or avoiding social situations
  • Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
  • Stomach aches, feeling sick or faking being ill
  • Damaged or lost clothes, books, electronics or jewelry

Bullying can be harmful and traumatic for victims, aggressors and witnesses. Potential long term consequences include depression, anxiety, substance abuse, criminal activity and even suicide.

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Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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