Why schools should be stricter with bullying

By: McKenzie Farissier

School is meant to be a safe space for students to learn and have fun with friends but lately, bullying has been becoming out of control and I believe that schools should become stricter with bullying. Schools should be stricter with bullying because it is affecting multiple student’s mental health because they are being harassed or insulted daily for everything they do. I’m sure you have all heard of the Aubreigh Wyatt case. If you don’t know the Aubreigh Wyatt case it is about a student who was bullied so badly to the point that she ended her life just to be away from the bullying. Although teachers say no bullying, they are not putting any effort into stopping it, if students come to tell the teacher they are being bullied or harassed the teacher does have a talk with the student who was bullying but no punishments are given and if they are given it is a minor punishment. Although it may not seem harmful to the person bullying they don’t know what they are doing to the other person. They could be causing the person depression, suicidal thoughts, etc. I have an idea of how teachers can deal with bullies and possibly stop them from continuing. My idea is when a teacher sits down to have a talk with the bully, start explaining how the victim may be feeling or some thoughts that may be going through their head for example suicidal thoughts. After having the talk you should make the bully apologize (sincerely) to the person who was being bullied. After apologizing, you have to punish them for their actions, an example of punishment could be talking with their parents to take their electronics away, school detention, or after/in-school detention. Doing all of these things could make the bully rethink their actions and realize how the other person may be feeling. This will also make school a safe environment for everyone.