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Bullying

In a world where we would want to assume everyone is a good person, this is often not the case. There are people who are bent down on ensuring that they make others feel bad about themselves by picking on them either on the basis of how they look, their background, skin color, disability, how they dress or even sexual orientation. Bullying can be defined as the use of force or threat towards someone, threats or abuse in order to make them feel intimidated. People who bully others have often been seen as people with a problem as they seem to enjoy seeing other people suffer. It is quite unfortunate that often the people involved in bullying are always children especially teens in high school. Bullying has often been associated with too much emotional impact on the victims and thus one needs to take actions in ensuring bullying stops.

In dealing with bullying the issue of right and freedom of speech arises. It is true one should be allowed to speak out their mind but a line needs to be drawn when this right seems to be causing harm to another person. In a world where technology has evolved so much, bullying has also evolved. Gone are the days where the coolest kid in the block picks on the least cool one or where a child who feels entitled picks on weaker students, nowadays internet is being used in trolling people (Kowalski, pg. 167-186). When one says something, it is important for one to reflect if the statement will cause any impact to the person for example emotional distress. There is also the argument that kids will always be kids and them picking on each other is no big deal. This argument although true, we know if a behavior is not corrected then one will carry on doing it even as adults.

I believe due to the effect of bullying including suicided and depression especially on the victim, it is important that we find ways to deal with it (Rigby, pg. 583-590). An example is legislation of laws that will help counter people from misusing the technology. As parents we should not dismiss our children’s behavior because they are kids but educate them and help them understand that bullying is not okay despite the age. It is important to note that most bullies are often troubled individuals and the best kind of punishment may be offering them professional help. People should also be educated on how the right and freedom of speech should not be used. To every right there is always a limitation and thus if one is causing harm or distress to a person by what they say then they are infringing on their rights

Supporting anti-bullying laws is important I ensuring we provide a safe space for everyone. We are mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, uncles or aunts and at no point would we want to see our relative or friend going through a situation or being bullied online by strangers who believe to be exercising their freedom of speech. It is true that words cut deeper than a sword and although we are often taught to ignore what strangers say about us online, one way or another we will often get comments that will get to us.

Works Cited

Kowalski, Robin M., and Gary W. Giumetti. “Bullying in the digital age.” Cybercrime and its victims. Routledge, 2017. 167-186.

Rigby, Ken. “Consequences of bullying in schools.” The Canadian journal of psychiatry 48.9 (2003): 583-590.