Address root cause of bullying
THE high number of bullying and abusive videos involving pupils that have surfaced recently on social media is a cause of great concern.
Although bullying has been a part of school, home and even work environments for many decades, it is not acceptable and must be condemned in the strongest possible terms.
The effects of bullying can be devastating and the best way to address bullying is to stop it as soon as it has been detected.
But from where does bullying stem? Is it a reflection of the times we’re living in? Is it socialisation or the home environment?
Children are like mirrors; they reflect the reality of our society’s behaviour – vulgar language, intolerance and cruelty towards each other, violence and discriminatory statements are some of the daily messages our children are receiving.
The misuse and unsupervised use of the internet, social media and television adds to this multi-layered menace called bullying.
Children do not have the ability to filter for themselves what they should accept or practise or leave out. Bullying is the symptom of which we need to address the root causes.
In order to begin the rehabilitation process we all need to do self-reflection and introspection. We need to examine our habits, biases and lifestyle.
It is only through the combined efforts of parents, families, school authorities, community and religious leaders and government officials that violence in all its forms can be addressed effectively.