The passing of Amanda Todd in B.C. has brought to light, once again, the drastic effects of bullying. Where bullying has a new layer because of the internet and social media, increasing the reach of the bully, these aspects also have extended the reach of a person asking for help.
Amanda Todd is an example of the 'Sext-Up Kids' CBC's DocZone featured earlier this month. She is an example of a victim of bullying. She is an example of a victim of cyber-bullying. She is an example of a teen who attempted suicide. She is an example of a teen who used YouTube as a means to help self-heal and ask for help. Sadly, she is also an example of a teen who fell victim to suicide.
The life and death of Amanda is horrific. The sadness expressed across social media is prolific. However, they are too late to save Amanda.
Something more than mouthing words and shaking heads has to be done. Check out the Facebook page created after a pre-teen found a note on her locker suggesting ways she could take her own life. It is titled "Death note left in school locker". Consider the words of a Geoff Adams [language warning] that circulated Facebook recently who calls for action against bullying while it is happening, not after-the-fact.
The real issue is that bullying is only an extreme measure of socialization. We often hear that is one function of schooling - socialization. Isn't that what bullies are doing? They pick on the kids who stand out for whatever reason. They serve as a function of creating a society commonality. We would like to think the 90 pound weakling is the only target, but that is not always the case.
Truthfully, we have all played a role in bullying - we either bullied, were bullied or assisted bullying through inaction. Some of us played all three roles.If you think you were not bullied because of our personality, consider which other role you played. Until we can come to terms about our own part in the process we are never going to end the torment. Once we get to the underlying issues, we can break it all down to rebuild it.
Amanda Todd is an example of the 'Sext-Up Kids' CBC's DocZone featured earlier this month. She is an example of a victim of bullying. She is an example of a victim of cyber-bullying. She is an example of a teen who attempted suicide. She is an example of a teen who used YouTube as a means to help self-heal and ask for help. Sadly, she is also an example of a teen who fell victim to suicide.
The life and death of Amanda is horrific. The sadness expressed across social media is prolific. However, they are too late to save Amanda.
Something more than mouthing words and shaking heads has to be done. Check out the Facebook page created after a pre-teen found a note on her locker suggesting ways she could take her own life. It is titled "Death note left in school locker". Consider the words of a Geoff Adams [language warning] that circulated Facebook recently who calls for action against bullying while it is happening, not after-the-fact.
The real issue is that bullying is only an extreme measure of socialization. We often hear that is one function of schooling - socialization. Isn't that what bullies are doing? They pick on the kids who stand out for whatever reason. They serve as a function of creating a society commonality. We would like to think the 90 pound weakling is the only target, but that is not always the case.
Truthfully, we have all played a role in bullying - we either bullied, were bullied or assisted bullying through inaction. Some of us played all three roles.If you think you were not bullied because of our personality, consider which other role you played. Until we can come to terms about our own part in the process we are never going to end the torment. Once we get to the underlying issues, we can break it all down to rebuild it.
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