The rise of social media has corresponded with a rise in levels of bullying as the internet has provided an ideal platform for hurting others anonymously. Sadly, prevention and policy have failed to keep pace with rates of innovation in technology.
Clover House is a leading UK charity helping to deal with the effects of bullying on the psyches of our young people.
The age-old advice to tell a teacher what's happening, is simply not enough to deal with the issues facing today's young people.
MP Jacob Rees Mogg recently attended Clover House to meet with Jill Gill, Clover House Founder and lend his support to its anti-bullying initiatives. The two discussed ways in which therapies and training could help young people develop coping mechanisms to deal with bullies and build esteem and could be implemented more widely across the UK.
In 2016, 50% of teenagers admitted to bullying someone else. Of those bullied, 65% have now been cyber-bullied and perhaps even more alarmingly, some 17% have been sexually assaulted.
Appearance is cited as the number one reason for aggression with more than 50% of those bullied claiming it was because of the way they look. Weight, body shape, facial features, clothing, disabilities, hair colour and wearing glasses were all given as reasons bullies had targeted victims.
An alarming 50% of teenagers would consider a cosmetic procedure to change their appearance. While the sexualisation of children and the pressure of ‘Photoshopped' and unrealistic imagery in the media has long been of growing concern for a number of years, the rise of social media is amplifying this pressure on our young people and very young children see aesthetic beauty as a path to fame and fortune on social media, leaving many feeling they don't measure up to the idealised imagery they are bombarded with. This only compounds the misery bullying can cause.
Jacob Rees-Mogg, MP, explains: "With bullying both online and in schools such a serious social ill; the effects of which disrupt families and can leave lifetime scars on its victims; effective treatment is needed. Sadly, those suffering sustained bullying are four times more likely to develop a mental illness, that is why I am so glad to support the good work that Clover House is doing to help these young people lead a happier life."
