Youth Focus with Manners Msongelwa
BULLYING is when people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions against someone or a group of people to cause distress and risk to their well-being. These actions are usually done by people who have more influence or power over someone else, or who want to make someone else feel less powerful or helpless.
Being bullied makes young people incredibly insecure. When you’re being bullied, you can feel constantly insecure and this affects your concentration at school. Bullying has a big mental and emotional impact, you feel unaccepted, isolated, angry, and withdrawn.
Some examples of bullying include verbal bullying e.g. name calling, making fun of, making jokes at another’s expense, unwelcome teasing and spreading secrets someone disclosed in confidence.
Physical bullying e.g. pushing, shoving, pinching, hitting, spitting, etc.
Cyberbullying is another example of bullying. This occurs over digital devices like cellphones, computers, and tablets. Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content.
Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else, causing embarrassment or humiliation.
How to deal with bullying
Tell a parent or guardian about the bullying
If you are being bullied, it’s very important to tell an adult first and your teachers. Tell your parents the entire story. Parents and Teachers are here to help and want to know what is going on with you.
Your parents, moreover, may then be able to get in touch with staff at the school in order to try to stop the bullying.
This is important particularly if you don’t feel comfortable telling your teacher or fear retribution from the bully.
It’s useful if you keep a diary of everything that happens. That way you can let your parents and other adults know about specific incidents.
Report bullying and victimisation incidents to the school
Inform teachers, and or the school head. These individuals have the power to intervene and help stop bullying. Sometimes bullies stop as soon as a teacher finds out because they’re afraid they’ll get in trouble. Teachers are especially important resources if you’re being bullied. They can provide protection from bullying.
It’s important to let your school know about any bullying incidents because there may be other kids being bullied by the same person.
Talk openly about bullying
Just talking to someone about your experience can bring you a bit of relief. Good people to talk to include a guardian, parent, sibling, or friend.
They may offer some helpful solutions. Talking about what you’re experiencing and feeling can help you feel less alone.
Don’t be afraid to speak up
Telling an adult is not a crime. Bullying is not a small or trivial matter; it is wrong and it helps if everyone who gets bullied or witnesses someone else being bullied speaks up.
Remember that you cannot tackle bullying by yourself. No one can, not even adults. Getting help is the right thing to do when dealing with abuse, bullying, harassment, or assault.
Dr Manners Msongelwa is an author, teacher and youth coach. He can be contacted on 0771019392
