Bullying: Let’s Eliminate It Now

Bullying: Let’s Eliminate it Now

Charles Andrew Williams, a 15-year-old high school freshman, brought a gun to school. He shot and killed two schoolmates and wounded 13 more as well as several adults. Friends said he was constantly picked on because he was so skinny. Some of the students would call him 'Anorexic Andy.' A acquainted teen admitted, “We abused him pretty much, I mean verbally.” (Coloroso).

Many kids may not think that their actions could be considered bullying, and half of them do not realize how harshly they treat their peers. What may simply be just “joking around” to one kid, may be considered bullying to another, and they may not even realize the effects that they have on that child who feels he/she is the victim.

There are many causes to bullying and school violence and many effects as well. However, if dealt with properly, there are ways to solve these problems. According to (Garrett 2), bullying is defined as “not just child's play, but a terrifying experience many schoolchildren face everyday. It can be as direct as teasing, hitting or threatening, or as indirect as exclusions, rumors or manipulation.” Garrett also stated that “One in seven children is a bully or the target of a bully, according to the National Association of School Psychologists.” Since these numbers are so high it is imperative that society understands what causes this much bullying to occur.

It seems one of the biggest causes of bullying has been the influence of the media on children. “Countless studies have determined that there is an irrefutable link between violence in the media and violent behavior in children, argues former