I don’t know when you went to school, but I think the bullying of today differs from even a few years ago.
Today, the internet bullying enters into the equation. It’s not really a matter of fighting a good fight. That is in addition to assasination on the internet. Young children hang themselves over this.
I may get hammered for saying this but I believe it to be true, kids are not free today to grow up on their own. They can’t because of the creeps that might grab them. They stay under a protective umbrella of their parents and can’t deal with the pressures involved with dealing with bullies.
I find it to be a tragic loss of an important part of childhood.
"I may get hammered for saying this but I believe it to be true, kids are not free today to grow up on their own."
I went to school long before there was an Internet, true. However, I've raised 7 kids in the "Internet era". Short answer: if someone's being a jerk to you online, it couldn't be easier: delete it, get off that page and don't read it, log off. It's like watching TV: If you don't like what you see, change the channels or turn it off. Kids hang themselves over "cyber-bullying" because they lack self confidence, self esteem; in short, they have zip for a self-image. That....is primarily the job of their parents to impart to them. Now I'LL get hammered for saying that. Just watch.
As for you "getting hammered for saying this....", not from me, you won't. You make a great point. All we can really do as parents is do our level best to prepare our kids for what they will face "in the world" and pray that A) it "took", and B) the Good Lord looks after them.