Remember when we were five years old and all we had to worry about were the monsters under our bed? What we didn't know, and soon came to find out, that those monsters aren't in fact imaginary creatures, but humans. Everyday, there is someone else out there trying to tear other people down and sometimes it can be taken too far.
Everyday you hear "they bully others because they're insecure themselves" and that may be true, but it still doesn't make it right. There have always been bullies, ask your parents, but it didn't start to become a very serious issue until social media got started. We all remember Myspace and AOL or Aim messenger. Those are the OG social medias, but even then bullying wasn't as serious as it is today because parent's were more involved in their children's social media then. I know my mom was because when a 13 year old signs up for Myspace, the first thing that comes to a parents mind is sexual predators, or today they can be considered a "catfish".
Today, there are 11 and 12 year olds signing up for social media. My sister is only 12 and already has an Instagram. I always check and monitor her pictures and social media for two reasons: to watch what she posts, making sure she isn't posting anything inappropriate and to see the comments to make sure no one is bullying her in any way because my first instinct would be to shut that down before it could get worse.
On the other hand, when signing up for social media or posting anything on the internet for that matter, there is bound to be hate. Not everyone is going to like you or what you post, and then you have your internet "trolls" that send hate because they think it's funny. The question I want to know is when is enough actually enough?
It isn't until we see someone physically hurting themselves, or more specifically committing suicide, that we pay attention to bullying. By that time, it's too late. How many times have you heard "tell someone" or "ignore it"? I've seen instances where the victim HAS told someone and they simply brushed it off. I've also seen victims of bullying try to ignore it, but then it seems to only get worse.
Suicide is the third leading cause of death amongst teenagers and among those committing suicide, between two and nine percent of those deaths are results of bullying.
A lot of kids and teenagers don't know how to ask for help or are scared to. Have you ever heard "snitches end up with stitches"? That's usually the first thought that comes to mind; victims of bullying are worried about it becoming worse if they seek help. That is a reasonable thought to have though. Bullying will tend to get worse if the victim tells. It's not like the bully can be thrown in jail for saying mean things. It isn't until things become physical that the law can get involved, which I think needs to change. The biggest form of bullying today is cyberbullying and it isn't talked about enough which is why I chose to bring up this issue.
There is help. There are outlets that you can go to. I know it's cliché to say "it will get better", but it can and it will. Use your resources! Tell an adult, see a counselor, and maybe even shut down your social media. Whether you are scared to tell someone or not, it's better to say something than wait until it's too late.
If you or someone you know is a victim of bullying, below I have provided several different hotlines that are available 24/7. Don't be afraid.
You matter and there are people out there who love and care about you, so please, speak up.
Crisis Call Center
800-273-8255 or text ANSWER to 839863
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://crisiscallcenter.org/crisisservices.html
CyberTipline
800-843-5678
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.cybertipline.com
National Suicide Hotline
800-SUICIDE (784-2433)
800-442-HOPE (4673)
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.hopeline.com
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
800-273-TALK (8255)
Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
