By - Dr. Asangba Tzudir
The recent shocking case of bullying once again brings to fore the attitudinal trend of the younger generation today. Despite growing awareness and preventative measures, bullying remains a widespread issue in different spaces like schools, communities, and increasingly, online. The changing times brought about by technology and its impact on the young people in many ways manifests in various forms of intolerance. The colorful cosmo, that Dimapur is, besides the good and convenient things, also produce negative impact on individuals through certain tools like language, and the application of what is called power. So, while the recent bullying incident is shocking it is also not surprising considering the attitude shaped by various factors and forces today. And in the pursuit of trying to exert power and control over the weak, the aspect of the moral in human finds lost. When humans are so blinded by power, control and dominance, the question of morality does not arise. On the other hand, the misuse of power, dominance and control is also triggered by the ‘rootlessness’ of morality and norms.
Bullying among youngsters is no longer hidden, and it is a visible crisis that injects emotional, psychological, and even physical pain and trauma. At its heart, bullying is an abuse of power and manifests in various forms like verbal taunts, physical aggression, social exclusion, and cyber bullying which is commonplace especially in this age of digital media. While the tactics may vary, the damage inflicted can produce long lasting consequences. Young victims commonly experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and even academic decline. And because of the emotional trauma, in severe cases, the torment caused by bullying often leads to self-harm or even suicide, even as perpetrators might simply label it as “harmless disciplining”.
A look at the video clips related to the bullying which was widely circulated in social media platforms while focusing on the use of language and the act of bullying locates the mind to the helplessness of the victim while the perpetrators seemed to enjoy and having fun at the cost of the helpless other. Now what is more appalling is the audacity of the girl in school uniform in the clip, having forgotten and thereby violated the discipline that comes with wearing a uniform. While the video clip presents only the other half of the story, no amount of wrongdoing can justify such degree of bullying and that too by a large group. While emotional care and support needs to be given to the victim, what is also very important in the larger context of the issue is that, the bullies themselves may be struggling with unresolved issues or dysfunction, and if left unchecked, their behavior can turn more aggressive and can evolve into more serious antisocial tendencies in adulthood.
On the aspect of punishment, any extreme form of punishment like rustication especially the girl in uniform having brought ‘shame’ to the institution, is not going to help or solve the issue of bullying. Addressing bullying requires more than reactive punishment. It demands a proactive, collective approach from parents, educators, peers, and policymakers and work together to create safe and inclusive environments. Schools should strictly implement anti-bullying programs and policies that foster empathy, conflict resolution, and mental health awareness. Parents and teachers must engage in open communication towards helping children to recognize, reject, and report bullying. In this digital media age, where youngsters are most of the time glued to online platforms and activities, it becomes difficult to identify the thin threshold that separates the real from the virtual. The danger is, the virtual activity can easily get extended into the real while also harming the real. As such content monitoring becomes very important and that due responsibility is exercised.
On the whole, in the fight against bullying, it is not about eliminating conflict but teaching the values of respect, compassion, and courage. In so doing, we need to stand with the victims while holding the perpetrators accountable so that slowly the bullying cycle can be brought to a halt.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir writes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com).
