The other day, we had the pleasure of meeting Manal, a sharp, determined young changemaker with a fire in her belly for tackling bullying. She dropped by our office with her teacher, Ms. Julia, ready to have a real talk about the issue. Manal has been researching bullying, what it looks like, how it happens in schools and communities, and, more importantly, what the grown-ups, teachers, parents, and policymakers are doing (or should be doing) about it. Cyberbullying especially caught her attention, and our conversation turned into a deep dive that had all of us reflecting on our own experiences.
Bullying isn’t just mean words or a playground shove, it’s sneaky, complicated, and sometimes, even the adults contribute without realizing it. We talked about how teachers might give children nicknames that stick in all the wrong ways, how boys and girls tend to bully differently, and how, sometimes, the worst part isn’t the bully, it’s the bystanders.
“There was a girl in my school who got picked on all the time. Back then, I just laughed along because I didn’t think it was a big deal. But now? I feel awful. I wasn’t the one teasing her, but I didn’t do anything to stop it. And that’s just as bad.” – A team member shared.
That hit hard. We like to think of bullying as a simple villain-victim situation, but the truth is, silence gives bullying power too.
Then there was Manal, wise beyond her years, sharing her own experience. “Before, when I was bullied, it used to crush me. But now? I just look at them and shrug. I know who I am. Their words don’t define me.” That kind of confidence? That’s the goal.
But we didn’t just sit and talk about problems, we wanted solutions. We chatted about the National Child Helpline (116) and how it’s there for children who feel like they have nowhere else to turn. We discussed how parents and teachers need to do more than just step in when things get bad, they need to create environments where bullying doesn’t even get the chance to grow. We dug into the importance of teaching young people self-awareness, confidence, and digital literacy because let’s be real, bullying doesn’t stop when the school bell rings. Social media has made sure of that.
One of the most eye-opening moments? Realizing just how much bullying can affect a child’s entire life, mentally, emotionally, socially, and academically. The damage doesn’t just fade overnight. But here’s the good news: kindness sticks too. One supportive friend, one understanding teacher, one parent who actually listens, those things can change everything.
Beyond personal stories, we also explored the bigger picture. What can schools do to ensure a culture of kindness and respect? How do we hold bullies accountable without demonizing them? What role does mental health support play in helping both victims and aggressors heal? These are the tough questions that need answering if we’re serious about change.
By the time we wrapped up, one thing was crystal clear: bullying isn’t just “children being children.” It leaves lasting scars. But by raising awareness, educating young people, empowering schools, enforcing real consequences, and building communities that refuse to look the other way, we can turn things around. And the best part? Young people like Manal aren’t waiting for adults to fix the problem. They’re already leading the charge, proving that no one is ever too young to stand up for what’s right.
Addressing bullying calls out cruelty, and it also encourages us to make kindness louder. And with young people like Manal out there, we’d say the future is in pretty good hands.
Prepared by C-Sema's Communication Team.