False stop (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

False stop

10:56am Thursday 28th February 2008

• Print
• Email

DO you think bullying is wrong?

Well, we do. Your peers do. In fact, anyone we've every heard speak about it does. Yet, it continues.

Bulling occurs everywhere. It is conducted on an unimaginably large scale, and on a daily basis people are forced to suffer the consequences.

However, the number of bullies in comparison to the number of victims is minimal.

So we, as members of the generation most closely associated with bullying question why the majority do not take action and force a much needed change in society.

Bullying is ruining communities and simultaneously hindering the attitudes and opinions of the people within them.

It is a shame that the violent, ill-mannered people in the community are the ones who possess the power to dictate how others live their lives.

"Bullies are insecure, vindictive, malicious and most of all jealous!"

Mr Ferguson, teacher at Kelmscott School Many people appear to have the same beliefs regarding the characteristics of a bully and, in turn, what influences bullying. So, if we all agree on the causes surely we can all agree on the methods of prevention. So what can actually stop these bullies?

"Bullying can be prevented by communicating its consequences to people of all ages!"

Mr Papaoiannou, teacher at Kelmscott School This method of approach would be very effective in a small community where the message can be conveyed to everyone and, within our school alone, it has proven to be extremely successful.

However, the real influence over bullying on a national or even global scale lies in the hands of world leaders and it is up to us to convince them to use their power in a positive manner and prevent bullying from ruining people's lives.

Various campaigns, such as the Beat Bullying' campaign have been developed with the intention to stop bullying in our society.

But, have these campaigns actually succeeded or are they just a false stop to bullying?

Well, as bullying still occurs it is evident that something still needs to be done.

So let's work together, combat the false stop to bullying and collectively put a full stop to bullying!