Opinion: How do we tackle bullying in our schools?

It is not a new phenomenon but it seems to be easier to do these days...or more prominent in recent years due to the rise of social media.

A PwC consultancy study from March called ‘The Economic Cost of Bullying in Australian Schools’ revealed there were three main types of bullying: 

Overt bullying, which is most easily identified because it is visible, be it physical, verbal or visible exclusion.

Covert bullying, which is more difficult to detect and includes spreading rumours. 

And lastly cyber bullying, a newer form of traditional bullying that transpires online and is difficult to define and measure.

When I was in high school, social media communication channels like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat were not around or widely used, so bullying was usually either ‘overt’ or ‘covert’. 

I could not even imagine what it would be like, to be a teenager in this day and age.

To be unable to switch off from school.

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To worry if people were saying things about you online and to have to check your phone or computer, constantly in fear.

And it would be a tough job for parents to decide if you should allow your child access to social media. 

It would be hard to know how much, or how little to monitor their internet use. 

There is no right or wrong.

No rule book for parents to access. 

Like the story on page 9 where Alexia Brockway’s mother Sharna Rose resorted to banning her daughter from social media, but still does not know if that is the answer. 

I do not envy the parents of teenagers. 

I have spoken with a number of parents recently, on and off record, who have no idea how to deal with bullying and how to help their child that is being bullied.

One parent said her daughter was sometimes the perpetrator of bullying and she did not know how to manage her behaviour in school. 

At that vulnerable age, teenagers are susceptible to peer pressure and do things they regret. 

And a bad decision could end in a video of them fighting someone at school, which is stuck on the internet forever. 

If your daughter or son is being bullied and you want to speak out on the issue, you can email me at carla.hildebrandt@fairfaxmedia.com.au or phone me on 0455 581 701. 

Let’s tackle this issue together. 

Follow Carla Hildebrandt on Twitter @hildebrandt_c.