[CarylB]

Sadly this example, which became news when the video was posted on YT, is not a one-off .. just a pretty unpleasant one of something which happens all too often. Most do not get caught on video, posted on the internet, and become the subject of such publicity, and I agree with Julie .. that it has resulted in harrassment of, and death threats to, the families of the kids concerned isn't something I'd celebrate. Not only does it perpetuate the problem, it shows the vicious streak which seems to be in so many people, and how can we show contempt for cruelty and vicious bullying if we adopt the same approach ourselves when we are angered, however righteous that anger might be?

Yes Madagascar, there are far too many other evil things in the world, and some are worse than this. But bullying is vile imo, at every level it is practised. For one human being to taunt another to in order to put them down, dismiss them or their views with ridicule and make them feel hurt, whether to the point of tears or not, is simply cruelty of a nature which should be unacceptable in a society which has any pretence at civilisation. When it is practised on the young or those who are less confident, who have a less robust sense of self-esteem than some, it can have hugely crippling effects. Some may, as Chris says, be driven to despair, depression, suicide .. some may become abusers themselves as a result, just as is the pattern in some who are physically abused. So whilst there may well be other equally or even more grave problems in the world, this one is not in my view the least of all of them.

What I am unsure of is who captured this on their phone and posted it on YT? Did these children actually video their verbal attack in pride? Which further staggers decent belief. Or was it an on-looker, who captured it but did nothing to halt the abuse?

There was a time, not that many eons ago, when those who behaved decently would stand up and confront cruelty when it started, even the young. Now the bullies seem to have a sway that intimidates all around them. That is another problem we have, because when no-one will stand up against what they see is wrong, whether from fear of reprisal, from discomfort, or indifference, bullying and cruelty will continue and flourish. We see this in our society, we see it on the internet where companies who own sites like YT or those claiming to be "social networks", make scant attempt to deal with it in any really robust way. They are too busy making money from advertising to monitor what happens on sites which have become frighteningly large and anonymous; and even when they do respond and terminate accounts, all one has to do is set up a new account .. which can simply be in the same name as before with a couple of extra characters added.

And parents imo DO hold a significant level of responsibility for the behaviour of their children. I agree that however hard you try there will be some children who step outside the bounds of acceptable behaviour, but in most cases we are not talking about these .. we are talking about an increasing number of children and adults who simply indulge in cruel behaviour because they can in a society which seems to value freedom of speech more than compassion, and the "right" to say whatever you like, whenever you like, wherever you like, to whomever you like above consideration for others' feelings and their right to be treated with some respect and simple decency.

Like Meat's mother, my parents instilled in me the premise "If you can't say it nicely, don't say it at all". They also introduced me to Pastor Niemoller's words .. "First they came for ...." We stand silent, whether from fear or indifference as a society, at our peril. Today it might be another at the hands of the bullies, tomorrow it might be me .. or you.

Caryl