INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST VIOLENCE AND BULLYING AT SCHOOL INCLUDING CYBERBULLYING

No place for fear: Ending school violence for better mental health and learning. Is the motto presented by UNESCO in the campaign against bullying this year.

Studies held on this issue have shown that most violence and bullying at school is perpetrated by peers, but teachers and other members of school staff are also involved in this negative behavior.

There are many significant effects of violence and bullying. Among them, we can mention low academic achievement and mental health problems, which result in detriment of life quality.

Students who suffer bullying feel like outsiders at school. They tend to leave formal education after finishing secondary school. And they undergo feelings of loneliness, and deep sadness which could even push them into the idea of suicide.

The top reason for bullying seems to be physical appearance, followed by ethnicity, nationality and the colour of one’s skin. Students seen as “different” in any way are at risk of being bullied.

This does not only happen at school. Nowadays, after the pandemic, cyberbullying has increased dramatically.

Many people perceive bullying and cyberbullying as a rite of passage towards adulthood and consider that it is not so dangerous. Moreover, they feel that there is almost nothing we can do to stop it. Instead, we should get involved in fighting this kind of violence. In so doing, we can prevent or address it successfully.

A point to bear in mind: No child is born hating others. This is a behavior children learn from their caretakers. Sometimes, even without noticing it, adults let their hidden agendas permeate the upbringing of their kids. It is a question of self-awareness and we should work at it.

We will make the world a better place to live in if we join our positive vibes.