“We have got to dispel this myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage.” — Barack Obama

Were you bullied at school or were you a bully? It is rather ironic that our schools, which should be safe zones, are perhaps where the most incidents of bullying occur. Research indicates that in most cases of bullying the victims do not report the matter. In not calling out the bully we continue to empower them and do damage to our self-esteem and self-confidence.

School violence and bullying, including cyberbullying, is widespread and affects a significant number of children and adolescents. Each year on November 3 the International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying is commemorated. This year’s theme is ‘Not on my watch: The role of teachers in preventing and addressing school violence’.

This anti-bullying day brings into focus the fact that school-related violence in all its forms is an infringement of children’s and adolescents’ rights to education, health, and well-being. It calls upon United Nations (UN) member states and other relevant international and regional organisations as well as civil society, including non-governmental organisations, individuals, and other stakeholders, to help promote, celebrate, and facilitate the day. It also calls on students, parents, members of the educational community, education authorities, and a range of sectors and partners, including the tech industry, to encourage everyone to take a part in preventing online violence for the safety and well-being of our youth.

What is Cyberbullying?

The American Psychological Association defines cyberbullying as verbally threatening or harassing behaviour conducted through such electronic technology as cellphones, e-mail, social media, or text messaging. The Cyberbullying Research Center defines it as bullying with the use of digital technologies. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms, and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour aimed at scaring, angering, or shaming those who are targeted. Examples include spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media; sending hurtful, abusive, or threatening messages, images, or videos via messaging platforms; and impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf or through fake accounts.

Needless to say, part of the reason bullying can be so emotionally or psychologically damaging is because it is repetitive. Those who are targeted actually have a relationship with the one doing the bullying, albeit a dysfunctional one. For example, targets of bullying often dread going to school because of what the other person might do that day. If the incident occurs/occurred one time, there is no such dynamic.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states the 2022 International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying highlights the important role teachers play in making school a safe space for all learners and posits that teachers are at the heart of the solution and need to feel empowered, capable, and ready to act. It also empahsises the urgent need for more training and stronger support from schools.

School violence can be devastating. The children and young people affected can find it difficult to concentrate in class, miss classes, or drop out of school altogether. This has an adverse impact on academic achievement and future prospects. The atmosphere of anxiety, fear, and insecurity is incompatible with learning and undermines the quality of learning for everyone.

Warning Signs

Changes in mood, behaviour, and physical appearance can all be warning signs of being bullied; however, some students may not display any warning signs at all. It is important that as educators and parents we recognise the signs. Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are unexplainable injuries; lost or destroyed clothing and other personal items; declining grades; loss of interest in schoolwork or not wanting to go to school; sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations; self-destructive behaviour, such as running away from home, self-harm, or talking about suicide; and changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Children may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch.

Get Help

Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school-age children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. It can take the form of physical contact, verbal abuse, or more subtle actions. Children who are bullied may already feel socially isolated. They may feel like no one cares or can understand. The bullied individual typically has trouble defending him or herself and does nothing to cause the bullying. There is documented proof that there is an association between suicide and bullying.

We know that bullying behaviour and suicide-related behaviour are closely related. This means youth who report any involvement with bullying behaviour are more likely to report high levels of suicide-related behaviour than youth who do not report any involvement with bullying behaviour. Negative outcomes of bullying — for youth who bully others, youth who are bullied, and youth who are both bullied and a bully to others — may include depression, anxiety, involvement in interpersonal violence or sexual violence, substance abuse, poor social functioning, and poor school performance. Horrifyingly, there are instances of teachers bullying students. When teachers bully students there is a clear power imbalance.

We have all heard the public education campaigns which have denounced, ad nauseam, any form of bullying. The Ministry of Education should be at the forefront of stomping out bullying in our schools.

It is important that International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyberbullying is observed at the national level and at all levels of the education system. Our schools need to create an atmosphere in which bullying is not tolerated. Undoubtedly, there will be cases of bullying, and in those instances systems must be in place to swiftly deal with the situation. It is not enough for schools to have a policy against bullying, the systems, when implemented, must be effective.

Though it is oftentimes ignored, we must remember that bullying also occurs in the workplace. Unfortunately, many employees suffer in silence from bullies who are positioned in their units, departments, and workspace. In reclaiming their voice the victims must speak out.

Bullying is morally reprehensible, and we all have a role to play in facilitating an atmosphere of inclusion. Say no to bullying.

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and/or gender issues. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer and waykam@yahoo.com.