Schools play a vital role in individuals’ lives. Children learn, observe and adapt to the smallest of things themselves. It provides a platform wherein different people from different backgrounds, ideology and mind-setup come under one roof. This kind of group setting, however, has its own advantages and disadvantages; either they will grow by understanding their surroundings or they will be involved in conflict due to different perspectives, views and opinions. Students enroll themselves into school to become better people, to achieve their goals and push themselves forward for their own enhancement. Despite all of this, some students are unable to express and work with their full potential; this is mainly due to ‘bullying’.

Bullying is an act or aggressive behaviour so as to dominate the other person. Basically, the person who fears and remains calm is mostly pressurized. Bullying is a continuous act which states that after one or two or twice, it will not stop. Rather, it keeps on going. Once a person initiates this practice, he will start to feel proud that he/she is the greatest of all, no one can beat them or similar thought patterns will keep flowing through. Now, as it is a repeating process, bullying repeatedly does not always mean that one will be aggressive, but bullying can be of several forms. People make fun of others, start to tease them about their odd habits, moke at a person with disabilities etc. Also, bullying has multiple forms, out of which the most common ones are- physical bullying, verbal bullying, psychological bullying and, last but not the least, cyber bullying.

Physical bullying:It is a type of bullying wherein the individual tries to hurt the other person, either by hitting or through any other technique. Touch without the consent of the individual or using his/her products will also be a part of this type of bullying. This is highly seen in school children and specifically from the age group of 12-15 years. Also, there is famous research proving the same. UNESCO conducted a study and stated that almost 32% of students are bullied at school worldwide.  

Verbal bullying: This is another kind of bullying which generally focuses on the choice of the words of the student. Here, taunts and teasing come into action. Say, making fun of a person who has a shabby look and a dark complexion. People who are not wearing branded clothes are also treated badly. Giving titles or tags to people, such as for short people- chotu, for tall people- khamba etc.

Psychological Bullying: This category of bullying which majorly focuses on intentionally and purposefully disturbing someone’s mental health, i.e., mental abuse. Excluding people from the group as they belong to minorities or they do not fit to their standards. Quite possibly harassment, the most well-known strategy utilized during mental harassment is to go after individuals by and by. At the point when this occurs, people tend to make fun of others' weaknesses and point out flaws without being considerate and sensitive about how weaknesses might take them. These sorts of activities are generally carried out in public for comic purposes.  

Cyber Bullying:This is another category of bullying. However, this is quite unique to all of the above-mentioned forms as it primarily uses social media as its main resource. Bullying takes place through social platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter etc. They make comments which bash people’s sentiments and make others feel embarrassed. People who bully genuinely target the personal information, pictures or videos of the individual to deteriorate the reputation of someone’s public image.  

Nevertheless, people who are bullied genuinely ignore things at first and then pay later for this. The problem of bullying is ignored and we took for granted. People are easily becoming victims of such issues. Bullying has always negatively impacted people and somewhat reduced their abilities and performances throughout the course. Bullying is purposefully hurting someone in some way. This might lead to degradation of self- confidence and self-esteem and also affect the self-image of the child. People who are bullied for longer periods of time tend to show symptoms of anxiety, depression and mood disorders in common. No doubt, other abilities are also harmed, such as communication skills, leadership qualities and strong decision making.

People who bully know that they need attention and enjoyment, they are least bothered by what others feel. At times, people who are bashed commit suicide and therefore, in order to avoid this burnout stage, many new laws are designed and implemented. People who try to look cool by doing such things are, however, privately being considered to be all-time fools. Being a victim can take away all your fine qualities, may lead to frequent health issues, may worsen academic achievement etc.

The problem is not only faced by those who are victims. Moreover, people who initiate such practices are also at a huge loss. People who are involved in such practices are initially motivated, given importance and attention, but slowly and gradually, when others or the victims start to take steps against them, then their own peers start to quit the person’s company, as no one will be able to handle, if caught.

People who promote bullying can be imprisoned and are asked to pay fines as their penalty charges. People who bully are more likely to adapt to wrong lifestyle habits such as getting onto fights, getting dropped out of school, consuming alcohol, engaging earlier in sexual activities, being abusive towards partners or nearby ones. 

It is truly justified that people who are bullied or are the victims of any unfair practices tend to have low self-esteem and this will lead to worsened conditions. Bullying and suicide go hand in hand. People find no support and are left with no option. In support of this statement, some statistical studies are mentioned below:

?Almost one-fourth of 10th graders who revealed being harassed likewise detailed having made a self-destruction endeavour, as per a Washington State Healthy Youth Survey.

?A large proportion of the twelfth graders who detailed being harassed likewise revealed feeling miserable and irredeemable pretty consistently for a long time, as indicated by the Washington State Healthy Youth Survey.

? Among 15to 24year-olds, self-destruction is one of the main sources of death, as indicated by Suicide Awareness Voices for Education. Moreover, 16% of understudies think about self-destruction; 13% make an arrangement, and 8 percent have made a serious endeavour.

?Cyberbullying made kids consider self-destruction more than conventional harassment, as per a concentration in JAMA Paediatrics.

This growing problem needs to be addressed and if this keeps on going, then the youth of the country is definitely placed in the wrong hands. However, it’s a fact which no one can deny that bullying is a common practice which is carried out almost everywhere, either intentionally or unintentionally in work, schools and sometimes in families also.

However, many policies have been drafted and are into force, yet some basic principles are still lacking behind them, such as positively building the school climate: the school is the place where all such attributes are clearly visible. The teachers and friends should be mindful and are always required to stay alert of following such activities. Close checks on such individuals and adequate knowledge and awareness must be spread in order to avoid extreme losses. Discipline is always learnt from school and modified by parents (caregivers).

Secondly, by bringing emotional learning, people should always be empathetic and compassionate in order to maintain the decorum of the organization, either schools, hospitals, family or workplace.

Thirdly, and most essential of all, stop bullying before it starts: it should be brought to the notice of evidence with valid evidence so that strict and multidisciplinary actions can be taken against the people who are part of this culture.