Over the last year there has been a topic frequenting the media, one that I was very tired of hearing about. I readily admit that I didn’t even take the time to try and understand what the people involved were saying or going through. I was very unsympathetic in regards to the topic.
In November, God used a heart wrenching situation in my little city to show me how I was wrong to feel the way I did.
Bullying is something that has been going on since Cain and Abel. Sadly their disagreements, difficulties and fights ended in murder. Similar results are still happening today.
My frustration with hearing about bullying all over the media was not because I didn’t believe it was real. I just didn’t take the time to see why it was becoming such a big problem now. I didn’t understand why our children were struggling with kids not liking them or teasing them, more than previous generations did.
That was then. Now I’m beginning to understand.
I believe that the truth is….bullying isn’t really different now than it was years ago.
The BIG difference I see is that today…
It’s instant and often public.
What used to be passed along by word of mouth is now sent out to “friends” and “followers” via Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. Across most of these social media platforms (if not all) whatever is shared is visible not only to the recipient, but also to anyone who is tagged in the post, as well as the senders and/or the recipients friends.
Lest I forget the “slower” and more “private” option that has been around a bit longer than social media, let me mention it now. Email. This is yet another way that bullying moves faster and thus affects our children more than previous generations. This option is more secretive and harder for parents to find unless they know to be looking. I believe that kids think they’re less likely to be caught (this only matters to those that care if they are caught or not) if they utilize email vs. social media.
The truth is that it doesn’t matter how, when, where or why bullying is happening. It shouldn’t be. Period.
Yet, I realize all to well that while most of the world knows and agrees that bullying is wrong, I doubt it will stop. At least not anytime soon or without great cost that is still to come.
Why not? Well, think about it….
How do you stop something that is as old as time?
How do you get parents to take away technology from their kids?
How does a parent monitor a child’s every moment of every day?
In order to see change in this world we must stand strong for that which we believe. To fight bullying in the current and the next generation we must teach our children first of the dangers to being unkind, which can lead to bullying. Second, we must monitor our kids online. Lastly, we must remember that WE are the parents and they are the CHILD.
God gave us the responsibility and blessing to raise the children He selected for us. Let us not grow weary in raising them for His honor and glory. May we teach them with the wisdom given to us from God, to have and share His kindness, love, grace and mercy.
Truth! This is good stuff, Misty. I love your new look, as well!
Blessings!
Sarah
Thanks Sarah! I’m loving it as well! 🙂 Hugs!
Very thought-provoking, Misty. Thanks for sharing with Thrive @ Home Thursday!
🙂 Thank you for the link up and for stoppin by! Blessings Jenni!
Bullying is a really hard topic and difficult situation to change. Just like you stated. But I do believe in individual responsability and most of in the possibility of the individual to change the world and people around them. We can do it, even if it’s one person at time. And it is possible to change our community and make it a safe place for everyone.
We all need to be part of the change, no turning heads, no ignoring the signs. We must start as a parents to deal with the issues our kids are facing. Parents are responsible to take of their kids, and we can’t just leave it up to them. Blessings!