The Silent Epidemic : Bullying

 The new Netflix series Adolescence has taken the world by storm , revealing a chilling portrayal of the devastating effects of bullying on today’s tweens and teens .Times have changed a lot . The world kids are growing up now is really different from what it used to be. Even though I am still a teen, I can see how much things have changed for kids growing up now . With the rise of social media and constant online presence bullying doesn’t end at school ,it follows kids home right into their phones . Its silent , its digital and its dangerous .

What is bullying ? According to Australian human rights commission, “Bullying is when people repeatedly and intentionally use words or actions against someone or a group of people to cause distress and risk to their well being ’’

Now let’s imagine a 13 year old boy who goes to school every day , only to be bullied by his peers not for anything he’s done , but simply for being quiet, for his financial situation or for just being vulnerable . He silently endures harsh words and even physical abuse from his bullies . But the torment doesn’t stop there . when he gets home, he finds no escape . On social media , his bullies have launched a bullying campaign against him , turning his phone into another source of pain . How harsh must that be , right ? This isn’t just one boys story but rather it’s the reality for so many kids around the world today .Bullying has evolved .it’s no longer limited to the school , or playground or bus stations .it’s become constant , inescapable and a joke .

Some children already pushed to the edge by constant bullying and isolation, turn to their phones for comfort . scrolling endlessly becomes their escape a way to numb their pain and forget . But in that endless scroll , they can stumble into the dark corners of the internet that prey on their vulnerability . And this is where I introduce the time bomb in bullying culture – a place where victims slowly transform into attackers . Ladies and gentlemen , I present to you : the toxic online subculture .

A bullied kid fed up with everything opens his phone and types in a desperate search : “ what should I do ? I am being bullied by my peers. I cant take it anymore ” or maybe “ how do I stand up to my bullies?”or “ how will I become strong ” or “how can I make others fear me” . In their search for help they might stumble upon videos on youtube , tiktoks, or posts on X (formerly twitter ) and reddit contents that tells them how to be “Alpha male ” and which tells them all their problems are due to the cool kids and feminist and the system. These things doesn’t offer healing , but instead pulls them deeper into a dangerous mindset .In the case of a boy he migh stumble upon contents which say he should bury his emotions , dominate others and Man up . In that online community he meets other young men like him and it gives them a sense of belongingness through which they don’t know will lead them to their dooms day .

These toxic online subcultures like the Manosphere , an online community of men, who are against women empowerment and feminism and which targets insecure young men or bullied teen boys and tweens and turns them into misogynist . The rise of manosphere has been linked to an increase in crimes against women in recent years . Its not only just women but it also portrays kindness and social norms as a threat .

Another one is Incel foroums which means involuntary celibacy . They see women as things and slaves rather than as a person . This gives them a sense of power, a domination . Some uses certain incel terminologies aka code words or emoji’s for bulling people in internet . women also use this to bully incel men at times . one example is red pill emoji’s and black pill emoji’s which holds certain meanings in incel culture .

While talking about incels and the manosphere , it would be a sin not to mention Andrew tate , a well known name among the teenagers . Andrew tate a self proclaimed Alpha male and Influencer , has gained massive attention for spreading deeply misogynic views under the disguise of self improvement and male empowerment .To many vulnerable boys especially those who are feeling rejected and powerless and bullied , his words sound like confidence , but in reality they often fuel hatred and toxic masculinity .

Other communities include Alt right communities , Stan culture extremes etc…..

Victims of bullying often develop a revenge mentality .Online spaces filled with toxic ideologies only makes it worse by helping them turn their pain into poison . Some examples of such cases are

• Santa Fe High School (May 18, 2018): Dimitrios Pagourtzis, 17, killed eight students and two teachers, wounding 13, with his dad’s guns and failed explosives, amid bullying over his trench coat and a Columbine obsession.

• Timberview High School, Arlington (October 6, 2021): Timothy Simpkins, 18, shot a teacher and two students after a classroom fight, driven by relentless bullying over his nice clothes and a robbery, culminating in a snap reaction

• Robb Elementary, Uvalde (May 24, 2022): Salvador Ramos, 18, killed 19 students and two teachers, injuring 17, in a planned attack after years of being bullied for his stutter and appearance, including taunts of “faggot” and “school shooter.”

• Kendriya Vidyalaya in Bhandara, Maharashtra, on October 23, 2023. A 15-year-old boy stabbed a teacher and three classmates, killing the teacher and injuring the students, before fleeing. He was caught hours later. Early reports suggest he’d faced taunts and exclusion—bullying by peers.

These cases are a warning . It shows us that when bullying , isolation and toxic online influence mix , the result can be catastrophic .

Bullying in India has risen over the years , and the most alarming part is that we don’t even have a proper rule or law to stop it. Victims are often left to suffer in silence because no one is really doing anything serious about it . In India bullying is not even considered as a serious issue .

     Metric                                                               Percentage                  Source

Teens facing online harassment                                  37%               Microsoft (2018)

School kids bullied   (physical,verbal, or social)       15-20%          Indian Journal Psychiatry (2023)

Teachers untrained in spotting  bullying                     60%              Times of India (2020)

Students reporting bullying                                           42%            UNESCO/Delhi-NCR (2021)

Bullied teens with violent ideation                                 5%             PMC (2023)

So how do we stop bullying ? It starts with talking about it more openly . Instead of brushing it off as some “weak kid whining for attention”. Parents need to actually listen, when their child says something feels wrong, instead of saying 'just ignore it.' Parents should keep an eye on their kids on social media platforms and regular conversations between parents and children will allow parents to know their child's feelings and thoughts helping them to support their child . Teachers need to stop turning a blind eye and step in—not just when things get physical, but when words are used like weapons. Teachers should never bully their students through words, humiliating them in front of the whole class . Friends need to stop laughing along with bullies and start standing up for each other. Even small actions, like checking in on someone who’s always alone, can make a big difference. In a society where children know more than they should, and social media reigns, what we need the most is a little more human touch—kindness, understanding, and someone who truly listens.

Post By Leona Biju , XI C ( 2024-25 Batch)