The last few months has seen a media frenzy over the List 99 controversy, the infamous list of banned teachers, but I believe the media need to take a closer look at other real dangers young people are facing in our schools.
Of course sexual abuse and rape is a huge issue, but for most young people in the UK and throughout the world they face a far more common day-to-day dilemma - bullying!
Over 30,000 young people now contact ChildLine each year across the UK with issues around bullying. Almost every young person I know can recall an incident in school where they were called names, teased, punched, pushed or attacked, or even more simply having rumours spread about them.
With new technology on the rise young people now get threatening emails and text messages, and you have other issues such as personal belongings being taken off people.
In my opinion the older generation has failed to notice that their actions are being closely watched and repeated in schools, playgrounds and other areas where young people hang out.
Countless lives have been lost due to severe bullying every year and with hatred spreading more lives can be expected to be taken by the cancer that is bullying.
But can we blame the bully? Is it their fault that they have become cruel administrators of hurt to their victims or is someone else at fault? I believe that we cannot stop children from bullying each other until we stop parents, politicians, and the media from doing the same!
Bullying has become an epidemic that has infected many thousands of children everywhere and must be stopped so that society can live in a peaceful state of co-existence.
About the team
This story was edited by Rebecca Burns. It was published by Reach for the Sky website.
