Devastating emotional scars are being left on school-going children in South Africa, due to bullying.
So say findings by the South African Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop). According to the organisation, an estimated 40% of school-going children in the country experience some form of bullying on playgrounds, in WhatsApp groups and in school corridors.
Dr Alicia Porter, Sasop board member, said the findings revealed the alarming impact, emotionally and physically, on the victims.
“Bullying, long dismissed as a ‘rite of passage,’ is now an entrenched crisis; one that schools, families and government can no longer afford to ignore. Even more disturbing: One in three teenagers are victims of cyberbullying, with social media platforms commonly used as harassment, extending beyond school hours,” she said.
“Children are anxious, depressed and, in some cases, suicidal. When bullying is compounded by digital shame, the psychological damage can be lifelong.
“It is no longer limited to fists and name-calling − voice notes, group chat exclusions, photo manipulation and public shaming via platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok create humiliation that leaves the child feeling even more vulnerable and helpless. For many victims, there is no escape.”
Porter said children often suffer in silence, only reporting abuse after enduring repeated trauma.
“Long after the bullying ends, emotional wounds remain, manifesting in adulthood as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), trust issues and relationship struggles.”
Porter said bullying sometimes intersects with race, ethnicity and socioeconomic status, with children from disadvantaged backgrounds being more likely to experience bullying in diverse, multi-ethnic environments.
She confirmed research shows many children who bully others are themselves victims of trauma, neglect, lack of emotional support, or violence at home.
Porter said although the law is clear on protecting children from bullying, with the South African Schools Act and school governing bodies legally held responsible for creating and enforcing anti-bullying codes of conduct, many schools lack consistent policies, training or accountability mechanisms, especially in rural or under-resourced areas.
“Many schools have recognised the prevalence of bullying and have started implementing anti-bullying programmes.
“However, there is still a lack of consistent policy enforcement, and often incidents go unreported or are inadequately addressed,” said Porter.
“As a society, we must address bullying not just at the level of individual children, but also in the broader school environment, promoting positive relationships, emotional intelligence and intervention strategies when issues arise.
“If South Africa is to turn the tide on bullying, a multi-layered, systemic response is needed,” believes Porter.
