If one is to research the statistics for bullying, one will discover that there are many different ways to be bullied. As an example, nobullying.com lists some statistics:
Bullying has many forms verbal, social, physical, and cyber bullying. Middle school students reports many different forms of bullying during the school years. About 44.2% of bullying is teasing which is often playing jokes and calling a child names. Over 43.3% of children have rumors and lies spread about them verbally or online. About 36.3% of children experience pushing and shoving in lines or class, 32.4% report hitting, shoving, and kicking by peers, and 29.2% have been left out or ignored by classmates. About 28.5% of middle school students been threatened by peers and classmates and 27.4% report someone stealing their belongings as another type of bullying. Over 23.7% report sexual comments and gestures as another form of bullying. Where does bullying occur many parents and teachers wonder about the location. Bullying takes place on school grounds and often on the bus. This is not the only place it occurs however! Cyber bullying occurs on cell phones and online on social networks, boards, and through email. A study of middle school students reported that they were bullied about 29.3% in classrooms, 29.0% in the school hallways or near lockers, and 23.4% in the cafeteria. Other locations that school student were bullied were 19.5% of the time the gym or PE class, the bathroom 12.2%, and the playground or recess 6.2% .. This study shows that bullying occurs in many locations where children gather to study, play, or hang out. Only between 20 to 30 percent of students that are bullied tell an adult or teacher about the incident.
Dosomething.org lists some different facts about bullying. Notably, the fact that 90% of 4th through 8th graders report being a victim of bullying, and that teachers only intervene 4% of the time. (If you would like to read the rest of these facts, this is the link: https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-bullying) This shows that the school system is not doing enough to "cure" the meanness.
These statistics point out that bullying is a very big problem! Perhaps more importantly, the statistics point out that not much is currently being done to stop it. Or, rather, that what is being done isn't backed with a passion for the issue. Although bullying may not be a disease or physical illness, it is undoubtedly a problem, and it does have a cure.
Everyone has been bullied in some way. Even bullies have been bullied. Perhaps, even without knowing it, you have bullied someone or made them feel bad. This is why I say that the cure has to start with you. You must show people you care and they will know that you are not a bully. This also shows people that, even if they are bullied, they have someone on their side as well. It helps to feel that you are not alone.
I would like to start a "Speak LIFE" or "Anti-bully" challenge. I'm challenging my audience to say or do something kind for someone that they may not usually talk to. Do this for five consecutive days and, if possible, for five different people. Try to choose people who may be bullied. Then challenge five of your friends to do this as well. It doesn't have to be something the whole world sees, just something that tells someone you were thinking about them. This will prove to people that there is goodness left in the world, and it might help to spread what goodness is left as well. I'm hoping that the "Speak Life" or "Anti-bully" challenge will have a domino effect. If we show kindness and challenge others to show kindness, we may stand a better chance in our fight against bullying. I believe this has to start with people outside of government or educational systems. We can see what those entities have done to "help cure" this issue.
