Let's Talk, Let's Rant.

Teens rant on Bullies 😠 😒

Bullies 😒

We have all heard about them, and most of us must have been bullied in one way or another. Physically, cyber, verbally, it comes in many forms and they are all wrong.

Anyone can be susceptible to bullying because it varies from situation to situation. There is no one type of kid that gets bullied despite what may be generally portrayed in movies and on TV. I came to understand it's not always a "nerdy," "antisocial," or "scrawny" kid that gets targeted. Similarly, there is no stereotype for a bully and many people can become one without anyone else even noticing.

Bullying in Real Life is Not Like the Movies

Very rarely is there someone slamming down books, shoving heads in toilets, or starting fistfights after class. Most kids today are bullied through more silent methods such as exclusion or being talked about behind their backs. Cyberbullying also tends to be more prominent today as it is more accessible thanks to group chats, apps that allow text or pictures to disappear, comments, and screenshots.

Tao - Well🌚 they still shove heads in toilets sha... In boarding schools🚶‍♀️
But yeah, Cyberbullying 😔

Akin - That cyber bullying ehn💔‼️
I heard one time that a babe killed herself because of it.

We all sit behind our phones every day, typing words, doing certain things and we don't care how it can affect the other person.

Tao - Lmao. Made me remember when Amina sent the screenshot of a girl telling the other not to type in the group again, because she types like a retard or something...
Like guyyyyy... Tf?!

Rita - Same here, I wanted to go to that group and insult that Bisola. I shall never forget that name

If your name is Bisola, no offence.

I crossed an argument that was going on in a comment section on Facebook, and a young girl of about 15 was insulting a woman old enough to be a mother. She won't do that if she was to be face to face with her, but she has her phone and she feels she can throw words at anyone.

And this is really wrong.

The rise of cyberbullying shouldn't lead to you banning your social media use, but there is definitely the need for you to have a conversation about it. Youth and teens of all ages need to fully understand how what they are typing and how posting can hurt the feeling of others. They also have to understand that almost nothing on the internet is truly private, and whatever you post doesn't ever fully disappear, even if an app makes it seem like it does. Just because you intend for one person to see it, doesn't mean it won't reach the eyes of others.

To break the cycle of bullying, it takes one person to step up and speak out. We are always taught about the bystander effect and how saying nothing can be just as bad as doing the action itself. Instead of standing by and hoping the problem will be fixed by someone else, teach your teen to stand up for their friends whether it be by telling a trusted adult, making someone feel included, or by not condoning the actions taking place.

I hate bullies, but how do I know someone doesn't see me as a bully?

Are there people that are intimidated by me or that my words are knifes in their heart everytime? Does this make me a bully?

Amba - Many ppl are intimidated by me, maybe it's my voice

Tao - Well I don't think so sha🌚
I'm sort of an adviser for people on my CL, and they tend to always come back for advice or refer new people who also refer new people. So I don't think I am👀 and if I am... Ah🚶‍