A call to action for schools and society

BULLYING is now an entrenched crisis, one that schools, families and government can no longer afford to ignore, says the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP).

- STAFF REPORTER

As schools across the country opened for the third term, Sasop warned that in playgrounds, WhatsApp groups and school corridors across South Africa, bullying is leaving devastating emotional scars on children. An estimated 40% of school-going children in South Africa experience some form of bullying, with both emotional and physical abuse alarmingly common. One in three teenagers is a victim of cyberbullying with social media platforms commonly used as harassment, extending beyond school hours and can be relentless.

“Were not just dealing with bruises anymore,’ said SASOP board member Dr Alicia Porter. “Children are anxious, depressed and in some cases, suicidal. When bullying is compounded by digital shame, the psychological damage can be lifelong”