Inspired by Facebook post: Bullying is it increasing or same as it ever was?

[redlight]

I voted no. I think it's always been around, and if anything, it's declining because we are less willing to tolerate it.

 

[superme80]

I voted other. I think it is about the same, but the ways have changed. The internet has turned more people into bullies and lets bullies get away with more harassment.

 

[jackskellingtonsgirl]

I think it is increasing in terms of intensity. Like others have said, bullies used to taunt in the schoolyard and that was sort of the end of it. Now the bullies have almost 24/7 access to their victims. They text, they FaceBook, they whatever. They are relentless, and it seems that the INTENT in some cases is for the victim to die. Either to drive the victim to suicide or actually KILL the victim.

I think the intricacy of the torment has escalated. Nobody gets called "Fatty four eyes" anymore. The insults are far more vicious and creative, and the tendency to try to convince other kids to also ostracize the victim seems more prevalent to me. The bullies are on a mission not only to torture the victim, but they want to convert all the bystanders into bullies, too.

I absolutely think there are more cases that go unreported than anyone realizes. SERIOUS cases, not just petty stuff.

 

[NotUrsula]

I would guess that bullying is actually less pervasive than it was 40-50 years ago, but that the activity that remains is more vicious. It is almost as if we practiced selective breeding for bullies -- the casual ones are being stopped, but the really motivated ones elude us.

What is really different are the ways in which the torture can follow you. It used to be that once you grew up and left that town or neighborhood, you had a clean slate and could easily start to rebuild your life. Now that is much harder to do.

 

[BELLE1109]

Admittedly I am about 7 years removed from high school...but I think it is on the decline b/c it has been brought to the forefront is and not being tolerated.
There was no Facebook when I was in high school school but we did AIM. I could not imagine the school getting involved over AIM chats back then, but I know from my young cousin that her school gets involved over inappropriate facebook posts.

Unfortunately, it will never go away. Kids say mean and hurtful things (as do adults!) and learning to be comfortable with yourself and stand tall is a part of life. I know I certainly said some snide things about girls in my class back in high school that I regret now. I hope to pass on more empathy to my kids

 

[famofsix]

Social Media + Personal Information + mean people = bullying

sadly nothing is sacred anymore. Because social media and the internet are quick sometimes bullying comes about because of someone's impulsive knee jerk reaction. Get 100+ hits on the bully page and bingo someone is scarred for life with little recourse to stop it.

 

[okeydokey]

I think bullying is easier now than before due to technology. Rumors perpetuate quickly these days with email, texting and facebook and then never disappear. What goes on the internet, stays on the internet.