Back at you, bully

The video of a student bullying another student recently made rounds on social media. The boy was said to be a taekwondo champion who bested several competitions. He wore his pride in attacking another senior high student but his behavior didn’t sit so well with the people of the internet, and maybe the whole world.

Today he is being challenged by several others to a fight for bullying an innocent person. In turn, the boy went also to social media to air out his feelings and fears for his own life. “What if I die?” he asked. This question followed many posts that likened him to that of a suicidal person. It’s like the stone he threw at others was thrown back at him.

The incident teaches us many lessons in life and parenting as well, particularly raising a teenager. First, kids with discipline don’t see any need to bully others but instead help one another. Somewhere between the situation is an insecure person who wants approval. His insecurities led him to hurt others who didn’t even have any fault. Children today should remember they aren’t entitled to anything even if they have the highest honors. Humility has always been the key to every life-changing event.

Second, is the use of social media. If kids had been taught properly how to use technology then this would not have happened. There is no point in social media asking us to input our real age and putting an age requirement when others can simply falsify information. There is some good and bad to social media. It can spread good news and good vibes but also be an avenue for selfishness which can lead to loneliness. When a person becomes too jealous of what he/she sees online, there is a certain innate feeling to have whatever others are having as well. They think it would make them look cool, when it really doesn’t.

A friend of mine said it’s better to log out, shut down, and do yoga or any other activity. The online world may open doors to many objects but it is also the instrument of wrongdoings. It wouldn’t hurt to disconnect once in a while and reconnect with those around you. Go out, have some fun and be in the now. The real world has so many things to offer and you wouldn’t want to miss it.

I don’t know how the story of the young bully will end. As of this writing, he may have a lot of more questions and more bashers than he could imagine. He may regret what he did and also try to convince himself he was correct. I hope children who know this story will also think twice - don’t use social media to your advantage and be kind to others. I couldn’t stress it more than that. They have a long way to go, and a long life to live. It isn’t the end of the world yet. [email protected]