The Malta Independent on Sunday
One third of children involved in bullying
Studies carried out locally have shown that one third of Maltese children may be involved in bullying – either as victims or aggressors and with this alarming information, the NGO Celebrities for Kids has launched an anti-bullying campaign.
Together with popular Maltese artist Ira Losco, the NGO chaired by pediatrician Chris Fearne, is working to raise awareness on the phenomenon among students, parents and professionals to help fight it.
Bullying starts as early as kindergarten and may occur in any number of ways – and can be physical, verbal, emotional or even online. In fact, cyber bullying – via computers, tablets or smart phones is becoming increasingly common. The consequences of bullying on children can be devastating and can lead to longterm effects.
Last week, in Canada, 15-yearold Amanda Todd, picture, committed suicide after expressing her desperation in a YouTube video watched by millions worldwide. Todd said she suffered from anxiety, major depression and panic attacks after a photo of her breasts, flashed in an online video chat with a stranger a few years earlier, was distributed in her community in Canada’s westernmost British Columbia province.
She said she became withdrawn, turned to drugs and alcohol and cried every night. She complained about not having any friends due to the controversy, a fight at school over a boy and changing schools several times to escape blackmail. She died following a number of suicide attempts.
While this case may be extreme, Dr Fearne said he sees the effects of bullying on a daily basis and it would be difficult for the source of medical problems to be identified because the children and young people affected often become withdrawn. Cases of anxious children who cannot sleep or lose their appetite are frequent and at times, children end up in hospital with professionals not knowing the cause. Eventually, this turns out to be bullying.
He noted bullying can never be tolerated and should not be considered “part of growing up”. Consequently, students and parents need more support from the relevant authorities. Although Dr Fearne considers the Education Department’s anti-bullying service a step in the right direction, he believes that this may not be enough.
The police cyber crime unit also carries out significant work against bullying.
The signs of bullying parents may look out for include low selfconfidence, not wanting to go to school or take the school bus, depression, a decline in grades, asking for money or stealing it, stomach aches and headaches.
When bullying is identified, action must be taken and children must be supported by psychologists and social workers to overcome its effects. Bullies also need help, as they can end up as delinquents and having problems with the law.
Ira Losco explained that she held an anti-bullying concert three years ago and while many schools participated, she is aware that more needs to be done to increase awareness. She highlighted that the idea that bullying might make kids stronger is totally wrong.
“Children do get stronger,” she noted, “but some don’t have the chance to do so”.
She hopes her image will have a positive effect on the campaign.
Celebrities for Kids hopes to be able to discuss the subject on television and radio talk shows and should be launching anti-bullying advertising clips. A concert and further events are not excluded.
Bullying amongst school children
The most common forms of bullying include name-calling, exclusion from a group and physical abuse.
Bullying may happen not only in the classroom but more so in the playground, before or after school or on the school bus.
Cyber bullying is a relatively new phenomenon and may extend into the victim’s own home.
Consequences of bullying
Bullied children may feel depressed, unloved and frustrated.
They may express their fear/frustration by inappropriate behaviour, vague abdominal pains or school phobia.
Being bullied may affect the child’s well being as well as his/her academic performance.