Bullying Then and Now: From Playground Shoves to Keyboard Warriors
Ah, the ’70s and ’80s—a time of bell-bottoms, mixtapes, and bullies who operated face-to-face. Back then, bullying was more straightforward. You had your classic playground taunts, stolen lunch money, and the occasional dodgeball-to-the-head “accident.” Sure, it was cruel, but at least bullies had to look their victims in the eye while doing it. Fast forward to today, and bullying has leveled up like a villain in a video game—more sinister, more pervasive, and thanks to social media, now available 24/7. Progress, right?
Let’s not sugarcoat it: bullying has always been a problem. But in recent decades, it’s evolved into something darker and more insidious. Back in the day, when the school bell rang at 3 p.m., kids could escape their tormentors until the next morning. Now? Bullies have Wi-Fi. They don’t need to wait for recess to strike; they can invade their victims’ lives at all hours through Instagram DMs, TikTok comments, and anonymous forums. It’s like they’ve gone from amateur villains to full-blown Bond-level supervillains—with smartphones as their weapon of choice.
And here’s the kicker: schools still don’t seem to know how to handle it. In the ’70s and ’80s, a bully might get sent to the principal’s office or assigned detention (assuming anyone bothered to report it). Today, schools often respond with a watered-down version of justice—think “restorative conversations” or a half-hearted warning. Sometimes, they even ignore the problem altogether. It’s like trying to put out a forest fire with a squirt gun.
The consequences? Heartbreaking. Kids—and even adults—are left feeling so isolated and demeaned that some see no way out. This isn’t just a “kids will be kids” scenario anymore; it’s a full-blown crisis. And while we’re on the subject, can we talk about the bullies themselves for a second? Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: many bullies are victims too.
Yep, you read that right. Some bullies are simply passing on the pain they’ve experienced at home—whether it’s abuse, neglect, or being tormented by an older sibling who thinks they’re auditioning for a role as “Biggest Jerk Ever.” Hurt people hurt people, as the saying goes. So while we’re working to protect the bullied, we also need to figure out how to intervene in the lives of bullies before their behavior spirals out of control.
But how do we fix this mess? Well, for starters, parents need to step up their game. No more “kids will sort it out themselves” nonsense. Teach your kids empathy. Model kindness. And for heaven’s sake, monitor their social media usage—because if your kid is leaving nasty comments on someone’s TikTok dance video at 2 a.m., that’s on you.
Communities also need to rally together. Anti-bullying programs shouldn’t just be something schools dust off during National Bullying Prevention Month; they should be ongoing, dynamic initiatives that involve teachers, parents, and students alike. And let’s not forget mental health resources—for both victims and bullies—because sometimes what people need most is someone to listen and help them process their pain.
And finally, let’s all agree on one thing: social media companies need to do better. Seriously, if they can figure out how to show me ads for shoes I mentioned once in passing three weeks ago, they can figure out how to crack down on cyberbullying. No excuses.
So yes, bullying has changed since the ’70s and ’80s—but that doesn’t mean we’re powerless against it. With a little effort (and maybe a lot of caffeine), we can create a world where kids feel safe both in school and online. Because honestly? Life is hard enough without having to deal with someone calling you names on Snapchat while you’re trying to figure out algebra.
Let’s do better—for the bullied, for the bullies, and for humanity as a whole. Oh, and if you’re reading this and you’re a bully? Stop it. Seriously. Nobody likes a bully or keyboard warrior with bad vibes. Go pet a dog or something—it’ll make you feel better.
