CYBERBULLYING IN SCHOOLS

The dangers of bullying are well documented and despite our best efforts, we don’t appear to be able to eradicate this problem. As both a parent and a psychiatrist, I’ve had the unfortunate experience of witnessing the dire impact of bullying on a child’s mental health. Urgent steps need to be taken to address bullying and to encourage tolerance, respect, and inclusiveness of our differences.

Bullying & establishing cultural tolerance

Bullying and intolerance of differences are problems that have been around for a long time. Adults have been fighting wars and committing senseless acts because of their differences for centuries. White supremacists are no different than terrorists who commit acts in the name of religion. They are both trying to force their beliefs on others and create a world in which everyone is the same. This type of thinking is not only dangerous, but it is unrealistic. People are different for a reason, and we should accept, embrace and celebrate those differences to create a world where everyone is treated respectfully and fairly.

Parents and schools have a responsibility to teach and model tolerance.

Schools can have assemblies or lessons that focus on diversity and how to get along with people who are different from us. Inviting people of different races and cultural backgrounds to speak and share their experiences of hardship would not only help to raise awareness but also empathy for others.

Parents play an incredibly important role in teaching and modelling tolerance for difference. They should talk with their children about different cultures and religions and emphasise the importance of being kind and respectful. Parents can also help their child to develop empathy by providing them with opportunities to learn about the history of different people and experience how they live.

The government and community can also help to promote tolerance for differences by creating public service announcements or fund programs that teach diversity and acceptance. They can also work to create a society where everyone feels safe and welcome, regardless of their background or beliefs.

Bullying in schools: Is there a fool-proof system in place?

School bullying is a problem that has been around for as long as schools have been in existence. And while there are many different opinions on how to best deal with bullying, one thing is for sure: suspensions and expulsions don't seem to be working.

In fact, according to a study from the University of California, Los Angeles, suspensions and expulsions actually worsen the problem. The study found that students who are suspended or expelled are more likely to drop out of school, and they're also more likely to engage in criminal behaviour. There aren’t easy answers to this problem. Some people believe that we need to create tougher anti-bullying policies, while others think that we need to provide more support for victims of bullying.

Bullied children have higher risks of self-harm, depression and anxiety. The ramifications of bullying are endless and all the more reason to prioritise addressing the issue.

Your role as a parent

As a parent, it can be difficult to keep track of what your child is doing online. But it's important to be aware of their activities, especially if they're young. Here are some tips to help you monitor your child's online behaviour:

1. Talk to your child about the dangers of the internet. Make sure they understand that not everyone they meet online is who they say they are and that there are some people who may try to harm them.

2. Set rules for your child's use of the internet. Establish guidelines for how much time they can spend online, what websites they can visit, and what type of content is allowed.

3. Use parental controls to restrict your child's access to certain websites or content. Most internet browsers have built-in parental controls that allow you to filter out inappropriate content.

4. Monitor your child's activity. Use a monitoring program or tool to see what websites your child is visiting, what they're talking about with their friends online, and who they're interacting with.

5. Educate yourself about the latest online threats and how to protect your child from them. Stay up-to-date on the latest scams and cyber-bullying tactics so you can warn your child about them.

Bullying and racism can cause tremendous harm to individuals, and they need to be addressed immediately. If you or anyone you know is going through the ordeal of being bullied online or offline, it is crucial to alert someone in authority who can immediately intervene. We must all work together to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

By Dr Lisa Myers, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist