Bullying

It's a subject that has come up in the news most recently and it seems to be happening on a far more frequent basis. Not only that it seems to have taken a nastier turn.

One of the articles connected to bullying has been this new App which is apparently available, and has become popular. The Ugly App. Well, quite frankly, the creators of this App need to be shot. There are enough issues of self-esteem out there for kids and this thing opens people up to a whole variety of bullying potential.

I know what most would say. It's only meant to be in fun. Sure, that's all well and good, and it is fun. Until someone 'loses an eye' to use a cliche. This thing is not fun if it gauges a person's level of 'ugliness'. Coming from someone who has spent much of their life thinking they are ugly, this App just seems, well, not just wrong, but potentially extremely harmful.

And that takes me back to bullying. I know how hard it was growing up being bullied. Let's face it, I was small and skinny for my age and that left me open to the bullies who liked to pick on someone more vulnerable. It is very true that I was too sensitive, and yes, I have been known to be nice, but damn it, why the hell should I stop being 'nice' just to prevent my being bullied. What is wrong with being nice and courteous and respectful toward others and expecting that in return?

It's been well-documented since social media like Facebook became popular that there are people out there who are using these accounts to 'cyber-bully' another person. And that cyber-bullying has led to horrific consequences. It is something I am afraid I will never understand. Why do people feel the need to put others down and make their lives a misery? Do they really think they're better than that person?

I know what I've been told in the past. There's the usual psycho-babble about how bullies are just projecting their own inadequacies on others. So what? Does that make what they do right? Or understandable? And trying to stand up to them makes little difference. They'll just move on to someone else. And that's just as bad.

I've often seen articles on children being bullied and schools doing nothing about it, or turning a blind eye. Well, it's time to take action. There are far too many children out there growing up with extreme issues of self-confidence and self-esteem and the authorities allowing it to happen is only creating a bigger problem.

Stop the bullying! It's time people stopped sitting on the fence on this issue. They cannot keep blaming poor socialisation, or poverty or even abuse by a parent to excuse this behaviour. These are just symptoms of a kid's life. There are large numbers of kids who have the same experiences. It doesn't make them bullies.