OPINION: Why film bullies instead of stepping in to help?

Bullying is and always has been horrendous. There are no positives '“ it simply brings misery to children.
Courtney Rodgerson, aged 13, was left bruised, grazed after a bullying attack on a busy Sheffield road.Courtney Rodgerson, aged 13, was left bruised, grazed after a bullying attack on a busy Sheffield road.
Courtney Rodgerson, aged 13, was left bruised, grazed after a bullying attack on a busy Sheffield road.

The fear, shame and self-loathing it creates can cause damage which lasts a lifetime in victims.

All parents worry about it and many struggle with how best to tackle the problem without making it worse for the child.

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What is different in 2016 is that hundreds of thousands of people can now witness for themselves these shameful acts from the comfort of their home.

We all have the ability to share videos at the click of a button – but just because it is easy doesn’t mean we should.

Experts in child wellbeing warn people against spreading footage of incidents which have clearly already caused too much damage.

Tell the police, contact school, offer support to children you know who might be victims and don’t be part of the silence that allows bullies to thrive – but do think before sharing online.

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We all agree bullying is bad but what about those who choose to film such attacks instead of offering helping?

The internet can make individual suffering very public but that doesn’t excuse any of us from our moral responsibility.