Dealing with cyber bullies

TIME was when you heard of a bully you thought of a big strong brute of a man frightening the life out of a weaker individual with violence or the threat of violence. It also extended to constant jibes and exclusion from play or recreational activities and even permeated the workplace.

 

In recent decades, bullying has become a far more sinister and sophisticated anti-social element of our society. The means to engage in bullying has piggybacked on the spectacular revolution in modern communications – computers, emails, mobile phones, social media websites and chat rooms.

Bullying is now a major factor in deaths, especially among teenagers. Cyber bullying does contribute to suicide and self-harm and there is plenty of evidence to prove it, thanks to the very same technology used to spew it out.

The serious nature of cyber bullying struck a chord in Clare with the high-profile case of 15-year-old Fanore girl, Phoebe Prince, who died by suicide in January ’10. She had been the victim of sustained bullying by fellow students at a school in South Hadley, Massachusetts.

The terrible incident provoked outrage across the US and in March 2010, a state anti-bullying task force was set up as a result of her death. A few months later, new Massachusetts legislation in respect of bullying was signed into law.

Irish schools have endeavoured to educate students regarding the damaging effects of bullying, emphasising how teens at a vulnerable stage of their lives can suffer terrible trauma as victims, trauma that can leave them psychologically scared for their rest of their lives. That is, of course, unless the person’s self-esteem is shattered to the extent that he/she self-harms or dies by suicide.

The majority of young people respect and understand the concept of “live and let live” without any interference. Unfortunately, the message has not sunk in with everybody and bullying in schools remains a serious issue.

Over the past year or so, a number of Irish teens who died by suicide left messages explaining how their peers drove them to such action. Cyber bullying was the primary modus operandi. Some cases are the subject of garda investigations.

The Government has committed to addressing the scourge of bullying head on.

A forum on anti-bullying took place in May at the Department of Education and Skills to explore ways to tackle the problem of bullying in schools. It brought together a range of experts, support groups and representatives of the schools sector, including parents and students. The forum, which was attended by representatives of more than 100 interest groups, considered what changes to existing practices and policies in schools may be needed in order to effectively tackle bullying.

Education Minister Ruairí Quinn has also established a working group on tackling bullying, including homophobic bullying, cyber bullying and racist bullying. The outcomes and recommendations from the forum’s work will assist the working goup in its deliberations.

Vital to breaking the cycle of cyber bullying is having a good line of communication between teens and their parents, guardians and teachers. They must feel comfortable in reporting any untoward physical contact, comment or cyber message directed against them. They should also be in a position to confide in trusted friends.

Those living in fear of bullies must feel believed and supported when they break their silence. Outside their immediate circle of support, there are several organisations to turn to. Among them the Samaritans, Aware and Irish Association of Suicidology. There are also several more suppport groups for people affected by suicide.

Like so many negative issues that have cast a dark cloud over our society, we can say stop, enough, bullies will no longer be tolerated. It’s they who should be shunned and sent to Coventry.

Ryanair expansion expected

A SUBSTANTIAL increase in Ryanair passenger traffic at Shannon Airport could be on the cards once the airport has been separated from Dublin Airport Authority.

While Ryanair delivered the usual “does not comment upon, or engage in, rumour or speculation” spiel, The Clare Champion has learned that several local business companies have been contacted by the airline to outline their plans, which could see as many as six planes based at Shannon.

Ryanair put a lot of traffic through Shannon at the height of its success there but CEO Michael O’Leary delivered on his warning of a reduction in routes and services unless the DAA agreed to drop airport charges.

There has been what might at best be described as strained relations between Michael O’Leary and the DAA over Shannon and it’s believed Shannon under new control could be an entirely different proposition.
Already Ryanair has been more positively disposed to dealing with the Aviation Business Development Taskforce. Clare TDs acknowledged they are aware of talks between the taskforce and Ryanair but they didn’t offer any details of negotiations. It’s early days yet but things are moving in the right direction.
According to Fine Gael’s Joe Carey, some agreements can’t be announced while Shannon is still under DAA control.

Deputy Pat Breen also said that a number of airlines – not just Ryanair – are being spoken to. “There are more airlines as well, which the taskforce are working with and I’m confident that there will be a new era for the airport once the separation goes through.”

Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley has warned the airport cannot base its future on its relationship with the low-cost carrier. “There have been deals with Ryanair before and that’s very welcome. I’ve hear they [the Aviation Business Development Taskforce] are working with them [Ryanair] and it’s part of the separated thing but we’ve seen in the past that Ryanair is very price sensitive, very price conscious and while this is welcome, this happened before and Ryanair pulled out. When it pulled out, the airport was left devastated.

“Had Shannon been separated back when they got a deal with Ryanair and if they hadn’t had the safety net of being attached to the DAA, it’d now be closed. And that’s not maybe,” he said.

There must be a role for greater Ryanair involvement in a reconstituted Shannon Airport so there must be pragmatism in any discussions with Michael O’Leary. Whatever you say or think about Mr O’Leary, he’s always up front about his terms and conditions. There can’t be expectations of big returns for Shannon, at the start at any rate.