Students put forward ideas for ending school bullying – and punishing the perpetrator isn’t one of them

Showing students real-life examples of bullying on social media and talking to bullies about problems in their lives are among solutions students say would stop the behaviour.

Showing students real-life examples of bullying on social media and talking to bullies about problems in their lives are among solutions students say would stop the behaviour.

Students from city and country schools are sharing their ideas to inform a State Government bullying strategy expected later this year.

Underdale High School students have told The Advertiser punishment may make matters worse. Instead, adults should get to the heart of what is troubling young people and why they take it out on others by bullying.

“They should see what’s happening to make them lash out. Maybe they’re being hurt, or trying to share their emotions but in a bad way,” said Year 8 student Jessica Corns. The 13-year-old suggested schools appoint a dedicated counsellor to talk to bullies after an incident.

Student ideas are being collated by the Youth Affairs Council of SA, to add to the results of an online survey of adults run by the government and a report by a roundtable of experts convened last year.

Underdale High School students Farhiya Abdulwahab, Jessica Corns, Osman Abdullahi, Phoebe Field and Alice Sua. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

A government discussion paper at the time asked whether police involvement, punishment or banning mobile phones at school would kerb the behaviour. However, young people say retribution isn’t the solution.

“Getting a punishment, for the bully, would be embarrassing. It would make their behaviour worse,” said Year 10 student Alice Sua, 15.

Year 11 Phoebe Field said bullying often resulted from “people joking but not understanding that it’s hurting the other person”.

“If you could show them actual examples of bullying they might be able to tell the difference,” the 16-year-old said. A social media campaign with high-profile people, or visits to schools, would have an impact, she said.

Year 12 Osman Abdullahi, 16, suggested experts visit schools to talk about the issue.

And Year 12 Farhiya Abdulwahab, 16, urged teachers to “see what’s going on” with bullies. “Sometimes they feel like putting their anger on other people would make them feel better and tougher,” she said.

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