Anti-bullying, anti-violence program comes to Bingham County

The Green Dot initiative is a nationwide program aimed at stopping bullying and other forms of violence, and it is now in eastern Idaho.

It’s pretty new to the area. It’s only been taught at one school so far, but those involved said quite a few schools in Bingham County want to participate.

Kids are taught the skills to stop bullying and other violence. They are shown ways to do it without getting directly involved. Simple things such as creating a distraction.

The skills also carry over to social media. Before social media, kids would leave school and the bullying stopped, but now, it can go home with them.

“You’re looking at one of your friends and someone’s made a really nasty comment about them, make some positive comments,” said Capt. Mark Cowley, who teaches the program. “Go and overwhelm the negative comment with positive comments.”

The green dot initiative is taught to middle school and high school students. There are two different versions so the content is age appropriate.