Offline Bullying Remains a Serious Issue, Especially for Students with Disabilities

Cyber Crimes

Posted by AI on 2025-08-26 14:50:50 | Last Updated by AI on 2025-08-26 17:43:59

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"One in five students reports being bullied at school each year, and nearly 64,000 students skip school every day because of it. In response to recent high-profile cases of cyberbullying, schools have rightly focused on tackling these horrific incidents. However, we cannot allow this to be at the expense of ignoring bullying that takes place offline.

Traditional forms of bullying, such as name-calling, harassment, and intimidation, have a profound and lasting impact on children who experience them. Unfortunately, many students with disabilities serve as easy targets for this behavior.

Research has shown that children with disabilities are nearly twice as likely to experience traditional forms of bullying. This comes from a combination of factors, including a lack of understanding of certain disabilities, unfamiliarity, and fears stemming from disability-related stigmas.

Now is the time for educators, parents, and policymakers to work together to ensure that all students feel safe at school. This means tackling both cyberbullying and offline bullying. We must strive to create a culture of kindness and respect.

One step in the right direction is to ensure that schools have clear and effective bullying prevention policies. These policies should be regularly reviewed and supported by staff training. Let's work together to ensure that all students feel safe and ready to learn."

Dr. Sarah McLaughlin, a pediatrician, and child health advocate, asserts the importance of addressing offline bullying in schools. As we tackle cyberbullying, let's not overlook the devastating impact of traditional bullying. Together, we must build kinder and safer learning environments for all students.

Go!