Use Your Words, Not Your Fists!

Story by Gary Murray. Photo courtesy of HomeGrown StL.

As a student in the DC Public Charter School System, I have experienced a lot of bullying. I have dealt with all types of bullying, from getting my head stuck in bathroom toilets to getting jumped on a consistent basis.

Bullying is a major problem that most people overlook. According to a 2019 survey by the National Center of Educational Statistics, 20.2% of students ages 12-18 reported that they experienced bullying at school. The effects of bullying are long-lasting and detrimental to students’ well-being. In 2019, the Center for Disease Control reported that students who are targets of bullying are at greater risk for both mental health and behavioral issues.

What I suggest as a solution is a peer support system,  in which a fellow student calls the bullying out as it occurs. If a peer is there, they can correct them and make the bully realize their mistake. In a 2014 study, Dr. Christina Salmivalli, a professor of psychology at the University of Turku in Finland, found that a bystander can create a positive difference in a bullying situation. When students who experience bullying are defended and supported by their peers, they are less anxious and depressed.

If we allow bullying to continue, more and more kids will feel unsafe at school. Teaching students how to communicate can further benefit students by improving the school’s environment. It can also make students more motivated to come to school.

Gary Murray is a senior at Friendship Collegiate Academy.