Bullying as a pandemic

Bullying comes in many forms, including physical, psychological, emotional, and cyber. Cyberbullying is the form that I believe is worthy of the pandemic title. Cyberbullying is the “easiest” form of bullying to commit, being that the aggressor doesn’t have to be present but rather hides behind a username and a screen. For this reason, cyberbullying is one of the most prevalent forms of bullying and the most dangerous. 

Children and adolescents who are cyberbullied have many of the same adverse effects as victims of other forms of abuse, but these effects are amplified. The feelings of isolation, vengefulness, worthlessness, and so on are much more powerful. This is because cyberbullying episodes tend to be more frequent and closer together than other forms of bullying.   

Fighting Against Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is also a pandemic level threat due to the ever-increasing time children spend on some form of a screen, be that of a phone, tv, video game, or tablet. The recent change to the education system has also lent to this increase in screen time, making it even easier for cyberbully aggressors to find victims. The trend of screen time increasing doesn’t show any signs of changing shortly, nor does the education system, which leaves us asking what we can do to help prevent or reduce the new pandemic that is cyberbullying? We will be sharing just that with you in our next post.   

Embarrassed

Power and control are generally the causes for a bully to inflict on to a victim to make them feel in control over them. Being picked on may leave victims with a feeling of powerlessness or weakness. Talking about these feelings to others may make victims feel embarrassed. Therefore, they will avoid it.

It Will not Stop

Kids often feel like reporting a bully will not change anything. Instead, they think that it will make things worse. They would rather deal with it and wait out the storm before talking about it.

Endure it

Victims sometimes feel like they should accept the bullying to feel like they belong with the others. Therefore, they will accept their bullying as a means to sustain a social standing.

No One Will Believe Them

Bullies tend to target other vulnerable kids like loners, special needs, or people that others will not believe. 

Snitching

Victims of bullying are often more afraid of being called a tattletale, a baby, a rat, or a snitch than they are about enduring more abuse.

They Deserve It

Children are very aware of their faults. When someone focuses on their faults and teases them, it is easy for a kid to assume that they deserve to get bullied for that fault.

Adults Will not Deal With It.

Bullying has become more of a concern that both parents and teachers are fighting to prevent; there is still a stigma to those suffering from bullying. This stigma creates a situation where kids will not tell adults, as they think they will be angry about enduring. They feel as though adults will contribute to the hurt the bullying is giving them.

No Internet? No Thanks.

In terms of cyberbullying, most kids will not say that they are being bullied in fear that their parents will prohibit further access to computers and cellphones. 

This is terrible, as it sends the message that for one, it is not worth telling an adult that they are the target of cyberbullying. Also, it tells the child that they are to be blamed since they are being punished for being a victim.

Always be aware that any kid could be a target of bullying, no matter their current social status. Try to read the warning signs that your child may be giving you. 

If your children confess to being a victim, reassure them, tell them you are proud that they talked to you. Avoid getting upset or angry, as this will only confuse and stress out the child. Instead, stay calm and come up with a game plan with your child. When a child can feel that they have a strong emotional/physical support from their parents, it may give them the strength they need to be a victim of this horrible phenomenon no longer. Lastly, please do something about it. Help your child overcome these trying times. It is your duty as a parent to do anything to protect your children.