Were you ever a victim of bullying?
Victims can potentially grow up with side effects like low self-esteem, anxiety, and not to mention, physical health problems if severe physical altercations occur.
UNICEF recently conducted a poll of young people across 30 countries, with Malaysia included as well. The results are eye-opening, but they are not surprising, either. 28% of young Malaysians said they have been a victim of online violence, with 43% of them experiencing it through messaging apps.
In the global poll, one out of every five students admitted having skipped school because of cyberbullying and violence. UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said, “Connected classrooms mean school no longer ends once a student leaves class, and, unfortunately, neither does schoolyard bullying”.
When asked who they think is responsible for ending the bullying, as many as 32% of those polled said governments should hold the responsibility, while 31% said young people should, and another 29% said internet companies should be the ones liable. In line with UNICEF’s #ENDviolence campaign in and around schools, a #ENDviolence Youth Manifesto was drafted by children and youth all across the globe in an appeal to governments, teachers, parents and each other to help end violence.
UNICEF and the Ministry of Education are looking to make a change, and some 40 children will be invited to draft suggestions for the Anti-Bullying School policy at the ENDviolence Youth Camp happening from 1st to 3rd October. Selected ones will then present these recommendations at a KidsTakeover for World Children’s Day programme, effectively providing children with a platform to speak up and be agents of change.
The camp is open to children between 13-17 years old, and those interested can get more details here.
By: Celestine Foo
