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I have never understood bullying. I am not perfect and have never claimed to be, but I just don’t know why anybody would purposely do something to make another person feel bad about him or herself. Kids have always been mean to one another, but now it is easier than ever. We have facebook, twitter, cell phones, cameras on cell phones, and I am sure I am forgetting something. It is so easy to not only make fun of someone, but advertise it as well.
I am sure kids do it for the same reason they always have. Reasons such as their own insecurities, jealousy, and trying to fit in and be popular. The really sad thing about the entire situation is that kids who are doing the bullying are not emotionally mature enough to understand what they are doing to another human being. We have all seen stories on the news about kids committing suicide because of bullying. For that reason, many schools have a zero tolerance policy for bullying. Still, though, will all the media kids have access to it is hard to monitor these situations. Things can happen and spiral out of control before parents or teachers and administrators have knowledge of what is going on.
When a child/teen bullies another child/teen they aren’t emotionally mature or equipped to realize or judge future consequences. Actions that are based on wanting to fit in and be popular can be devastating for all involved if the target does something, like committs suicide, that can’t be taken back. The participants who were part of the bullying have to live with the guilt of what they did way before they can truly comprehend the consequences of their actions.
What are your thoughts or experiences with this. Have you found ways to better monitor bullying or get the message out? What can be done to stop it before it gets out of control?
