Bullying can cause lifelong psychological damage

Kino Isaac writes:

This week’s City Times (April 30 edition) featured a topic that’s still so real and needs urgent attention (a topic as a Benoni citizen I care deeply about).

The City Times has the mandate and reach to make a change and target bullying in schools by educating schools and parents.

The answers given by the community members were decent, but also very “normal” and irrelevant now that we are living in the digital space.

Technology has evolved; our system has remained stagnant in addressing the social impact, especially in government schools.

About 10 to 15 years ago a child could be a victim of bullying and even though it is not pleasant it will remain within the school premises or among those present. That particular child could go home, forget it and it will slowly fade away (not all cases).

These days if bullying takes place, it goes viral via social media and never ends. Posts or videos can explode on multiple platforms for thousands of people to view, resulting in a much deeper, negative psychological impact on children that can lead them to take their own life (no age gap).

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Those who are not tough enough to mentally and physically deal with it can grow up with a lack of self-esteem, not loving or caring for themselves and not believing they can do great things.

It’s a long-lasting indirect depression that will eventually lead to suicide or a very sad life always doubting yourself.

Hence why so many “adults” feel the need to over-expose themselves online these days. They were not shown the necessary love or attention in school.

They now need it from the “likes” on Facebook and Instagram.

They are in a bubble but sooner or later that bubble will pop and when reality hits then suicide or depression is sadly many times the outcome.

The way forward

The growing technological and social market is constantly growing, it will always have its pros and cons.

Yet, the local or international government, educational facilities and parents (who spend just as much, if not more time on their phones) do not regulate and monitor u-18s on social media or educate their children to be mentally strong, this can only get much worse, bullying will never be fixed.

Now, I am not saying don’t allow children or students to take advantage of the technology and digital resources available to enhance their personal growth, but if they learn to keep a balance and control their emotions then this will lead to positive results.

These are just my basic thoughts on the matter after seeing the paper this week; the newspaper can make a huge impact on the matter.

As said this is a very important topic to me as my work is within the media or digital space, the more I pass on my thoughts and concerns to you and hopefully educational facilities we can all work to making our schools safe and friendly for all.

These learners are the future leaders of this industry and government; we need to take care of them.

I dedicated a podcast episode to the youth involved in this matter.

The average time spent on social media in South Africa is two hours per day (average South African). This includes individuals under the age of 18.

Bullying in schools is still very real and harder to overcome for victims, with the rapid growth of social media presence.

Richard Potgieter (PMG Media – Marketing) and I touch on it this week.

For more information visit https://fb.watch/5d4O1-isJq/ or https://kinoisaac.buzzsprout.com/1739208/8295348-creativity-blessing-curse

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Do you think schools are doing enough to curb bullying?