Not On My Watch

“We have got to dispel this myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage.”- Barack Obama. Were you bullied at school or were you a bully? It is rather ironic that our schools which should be safe zones are perhaps where the most incidents of bullying occur. Research indicates that in most cases of bullying the victim does not report the matter. In not calling out the bully we continue to empower those bullies while at the same time lessen our self-esteem and self-confidence. School violence and bullying including cyber bullying is widespread and affects a significant number of children and adolescents. Each year on November 3, The International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyber bullying is commemorated. This year’s theme, “Not on my watch: the role of teachers in preventing and addressing school violence”. The day brings to focus that school-related violence in all its forms is an infringement of children and adolescents’ rights to education and to health and well-being. The anti-bullying day calls upon United Nations (UN) member states and other relevant international and regional organizations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organizations, individuals and other stakeholders to help promote, celebrate and facilitate the international day. This day calls on the attention of students, parents, members of the educational community, education authorities and a range of sectors and partners, including the tech industry, to encourage everyone to take a part in preventing online violence for the safety and wellbeing of children and youth. What is Cyber Bullying? The American Psychological Association defines cyber bullying as verbally threatening or harassing behaviour conducted through such electronic technology as cell phones, email, social media, or text messaging. The Cyber Bullying Research Center defines cyber bullying as bullying with the use of digital technologies. It can take place on social media, messaging platforms, gaming platforms and mobile phones. It is repeated behaviour, aimed at scaring, angering or shaming those who are targeted. Examples include: spreading lies about or posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone on social media or sending hurtful, abusive or threatening messages, images or videos via messaging platforms, impersonating someone and sending mean messages to others on their behalf or through fake accounts. Needless to say part of the reason bullying can be so emotionally or psychologically damaging is because it is repetitive. Those who are targeted actually have a relationship with the one doing the bullying, albeit a dysfunctional one. For example, targets of bullying often dread going to school because of what the other person might do that day. If the incident occurs/occurred one time, there is no such dynamic. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) states the 2022 International Day against Violence and Bullying at School including Cyber bullying highlights the important role teachers play in making school a safe space for all learners. Teachers are at the heart of the solution and need to feel empowered, capable and ready to act. Yet more training and stronger support from the school and beyond is urgently needed. School violence can be devastating. The children and young people affected can find it difficult to concentrate in class, miss classes, or drop out of school altogether. This has an adverse impact on academic achievement and future prospects. The atmosphere of anxiety, fear and insecurity is incompatible with learning and undermines the quality of learning for everyone. Warning Signs for Bullying Changes in mood, behaviour and physical appearance can all be warning signs of being bullied; however, some students may not display any warning signs at all. It is important that as educators and parents we recognize the warning signs of being bullied. Some signs that may point to a bullying problem are: unexplainable injuries, lost or destroyed clothing and other personal items, declining grades, loss of interest in schoolwork or not wanting to go to school, Sudden loss of friends or avoidance of social situations, Self-destructive behaviors such as running away from home, harming themselves, or talking about suicide and changes in eating habits, like suddenly skipping meals or binge eating. Additionally,children may come home from school hungry because they did not eat lunch. Get Help Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behaviour among school-aged children that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. Bullying can take the form of physical contact, words, or more subtle actions. The bullied individual typically has trouble defending him or herself and does nothing to “cause” the bullying. There is documented proof that there is an association between suicide and bullying. We know that bullying behavior and suicide-related behavior are closely related. This means youth who report any involvement with bullying behavior are more likely to report high levels of suicide-related behavior than youth who do not report any involvement with bullying behavior. Negative outcomes of bullying (for youth who bully others, youth who are bullied, and youth who both are bullied and bully others) may include: depression, anxiety, involvement in interpersonal violence or sexual violence, substance abuse, poor social functioning, and poor school performance. Horrifyingly, there are instances of teachers bullying students. The teacher student bullying is clearly a form of power imbalance. We have all heard the public education campaigns which have denounced ad nauseam that any form of bullying is wrong. In stomping out bullying in our schools, the lead should be from the Education Ministry. It is important that International Day against Violence and Bullying at School Including Cyber bullying is observed at the national level at all levels of the education system. Our schools need to create an atmosphere where bullying is not tolerated. Undoubtedly, there will be cases of bullying and in those instances systems must be in place to address bullying. It is not enough for our schools to have a policy against bullying, the systems implemented must work. Our students who are bullied should see that the system is working. The institutional systems against bullying and school violence must be made to work. We oftentimes do not speak about bullying which occurs in the work place. Regrettably, many employees suffer in silence from bullies who are positioned in their units, departments and work space. In reclaiming their voice the victims must speak out. Regardless of whether or not we are teachers we should all say not on my watch to bullying. We all have a role to play in facilitating an atmosphere of inclusion. Bullying is morally reprehensible. Say no to bullying! In the words of Desmond Tutu, if you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #Stopbullying #EndViolence #cyberbullying #schoolviolence