But the debate arises when we consider whether bullying in schools and among youth in general, has taken on a fresh urgency, is really a more pressing issue than it has been in the past. Cutting to the chase – in order to determine whether it is or not – we should want to know things like whether incidents of bullying are more common now, whether there is more suffering going on now than before. If we decide that there is, then we would next want to know why. We would want to know what has caused the numbers to rise. Would this unwanted change mirror a crumbling of our general culture, our collective social and family values?
Then for some, on the other side of the debate table, there is the feeling that the problem is no worse now than it ever was, that the only thing that’s really changed is our awareness of it. The argument might likewise be made that sensationalism in the media, a media that gives the people what they want, has basically produced an issue out of thin air..that it has taken a handful of high-profile incidents and ran with them until people are talking about little else. The next thing you know, this ‘new’ crucial and urgent problem is suddenly thrust to the top of every school’s agenda with explicit instructions to “do something about it!”
And then there is a third school of thought, arguing that getting hung up on such considerations – whether bullying is more prevalent now or just more newsworthy – causes some to ignore golden opportunities to help. 3V Learning feels bullying is likely no worse today than yesterday or yesteryear but that we should be thankful for the new and widespread media attention it is receiving, because this forces the issue in front of us and motivates us to improve the quality of life for our children.
3V Learning has introduced a deeply researched and powerful new course module that aims to educate and motivate on the most important level: where there are those in a position to make the greatest difference. These are parents, educators, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, coaches, principals – any who touch the lives of youth. One of the benefits of our training for organizations is the absence of expensive accessories…books, DVD’s, manuals and on-site trainers. Self-starters and the motivated will find our computer-based training to be everything needed, the full armor for the fight against youth bullying.
To learn more and schedule your online tour of Youth Bullying: Understanding to Prevention, contact:
Gale Compton – 3V Learning Marketing and Development Team Leader
Gale@3vlearning.com
Do you think that the "bullying" issue broadly has really not got worse at all? I means like to me, it clearly has changed the the introduction of technologies…. As the number of platforms & devices we use and youth communicate across increasingly too at a younger age, you don't think this would have some influence??
Hi Jess, and thank you so much for your input and checking out our blog. I think it is an excellent point you make, and it leads us to feel this part of the article could have been expressed more clearly. There can be little doubt technology has given rise to entirely new forms of bullying, an entirely new breed of bully and victim. Alongside this, it only makes sense – given the new possibilities with modern devices – that individual incidents of bullying have risen accordingly. I think this is the point you were making, and a good one it is. This part of the article was really speaking more to the human nature that lead some to bully and others, in some cases, to become victims and suggesting that this is what does not change. Most importantly, we are happy to share this common goal with you of reducing youth bullying to the greatest extent possible. Thank you!