EDITORIAL - Fighting bullying

The digital age has facilitated a host of human activities, including, unfortunately, harmful and criminal undertakings. For the younger generations, many of them digital natives, among these harmful aspects is bullying. This problem has been around for a long time, but digital technology has facilitated bullying among youths particularly in schools.

Republic Act 10627 or the Anti-Bullying Act was passed back in 2013. It requires all elementary and secondary schools to adopt policies to prevent and address acts of bullying in their institutions. Yet the Program for International Student Assessment tagged the Philippines as the “bullying capital of the world,” with the problem cited as one of the reasons for the poor performance of Filipino 15-year-old students in the PISA.

New Education Secretary Sonny Angara has found it necessary to remind all schools, both public and private, that they must craft their respective policies against bullying. The policies, he said, must include disciplinary sanctions against bullies as well as the designation of school personnel in charge of the issue. He also wants guidance counselors in every school to help students deal with mental health issues.

As complicated as the problem of bullying is loneliness. Last year, in a Meta-Gallup report on the global state of social connections, the Philippines was tagged as the second loneliest country in the world and the most lonesome in Southeast Asia. Among the loneliest in the Philippines, the report said, were members of Generation Z. The report describes Gen Z as those born between 1997 and 2012. And their loneliness has been attributed in part to over-exposure to social media and the use of smartphones. The problem was exacerbated by the COVID lockdowns, and in many households, by the absence of one or two parents working overseas.

Dealing with bullying and loneliness is hampered by the acute lack of mental health workers in this country, from guidance counselors to psychiatrists. The Philippine Mental Health Association estimates that there is less than one health worker for every 100,000 people in the country.

While the problem is complex, however, there are ways of discouraging bullying and easing mental health problems among the youth. Digital technology also facilitates pinning down bullies and imposing appropriate penalties. Activities that genuinely interest the youth can be organized by schools to promote positive social interaction. Mental health professionals can provide mentoring to share their expertise with educators and school administrators. The first step in dealing with this problem is the recognition of its urgency and the need for interventions.