Bullying: Speak Up And Stand Strong

Today I want to talk about something that affects many young people but is often kept in the dark: bullying in our schools.

First, bullying is not just about physical violence. It can include making fun of someone, calling them hurtful names, spreading rumours, excluding them, threatening them, embarrassing them, or using social media to hurt them. Sometimes bullying happens because someone looks different, talks differently, learns differently, or simply does not fit in with the crowd. It also happens when the person doing the bullying was hurt before. There is a saying: “Hurt people hurt people.”

Bullying can have serious effects on a young person’s confidence, friendships, schoolwork and emotional well-being. A few hurtful words may seem small to the person saying them, but they can stay with someone for a very long time.

Genesis 1:27 teaches us that we were all created in the image of God. That means we should never treat someone as if they are worthless. Jesus teaches in Matthew 22:39 that we should “love thy neighbour as thyself,” so we should treat each other with respect and think about how our words and actions affect others.

Before making a joke about someone, posting something embarrassing, or joining a group that is picking on another person, ask yourself, “What would Jesus do?” or “Would this show God’s love?” If the answer is no, choose to do something different.

If you are being bullied

• Speak up. Telling a trusted adult is not being weak, and neither is asking for help. Talk to a parent, a teacher, a guidance counsellor, your coach, the principal, or another adult you trust.
• Don’t face it alone. Stay close to people who make you feel safe and supported. A good friend can make a difficult situation feel much easier to handle.

If you see someone being bullied

Don’t laugh or encourage it, don’t share the videos, and don’t join in. You don’t have to fight the bully. Sometimes simply standing beside the person being targeted, or getting an adult, can make a powerful difference. Before sending a message, posting a picture or sharing a joke about someone, ask yourself, “Would I want someone to do this to me?”

You don’t have to be best friends with everyone in your school, but you should be able to respect one another. And remember: being different is not a weakness, and neither is asking for help.

So be the generation that chooses kindness over cruelty, courage over silence, and respect over bullying. Speak up. Stand strong. Look out for one another. Our schools, churches, families and communities should be places where people feel respected, valued and safe. Sometimes one kind word, one brave decision, or one person willing to stand beside someone can change a life.