Bullying

        Throughout the years, bullying has become a world wide issue. Bullying does not target a specific race, gender, sex, etc. Anyone can be a victim and anyone can be a culprit. There are many lasting effects to bullying. It does not just effect the victim but it also effects the bully. Teens often watch bullying happen or they walk away and do not get help. For bullying to stop there are several things teenagers need to do.

There are four groups of people when it comes to bullying, bullies, victims, bullies/victims and people unexposed to bullying aka bystanders. Lasting effects to a victim of bullying consist of depression, increased risk of suicide, poor school performance, lack of interest and low self esteem and often suffer from panic attacks. Bullies suffer from drug abuse, depression, anxiety, hostility and often become abusive and engage in sexual activity at a young age. Bullies and victims suffer from all of the above especially anxiety. Whether the bully physically, mentally, or emotionally bullied the victim the effects remain the same. Studies have shown that anyone involved in bullying adapts badly to adulthood. Bullies also become anti-social and surprisingly do not have any emotional problems at all. It does not just stop there bystanders of bullying also have lasting effects to bullying. They use tobacco, alcohol and drugs, they skip school and they also have anxiety and depression. Bullying has a lasting effect on so many groups of people. 

Teenagers often watch bullying and do not do anything about it. Several things need to change to stop the pattern of bullying. One thing teenagers can do is when they see someone getting bullied is tell an adult. Another thing teens can do is stick up for the victim. Teens need to stop being afraid to help. The best thing teenagers can do is speak up, stop being a bystander and help raise awareness. Bullying will become an even larger problem if people do not try to help and just walk away. 

         I think bullying will become a leading cause of death if it is not abolished soon. People do not know what is going on behind closed doors with victims or bullies. Everyone has their own story. When I see someone getting bullied I like to let the bully know a piece of my mind. I do not care if its my friend or a random person. I could never imagine being a victim of bullying and I wouldn’t want to know what it feels like, especially if it is causing people to commit suicide. I want to stop bullying because I have six nieces and nephews and it would kill me to see them get bullied or be a bully.