The Bullying Epidemic Part 1
I am so tired of hearing about bullying. Not because I don’t care, but because in 2025, we’re still dealing with the same issues we were dealing with decades ago. Schools preach a zero-tolerance policy, but let’s be real—zero tolerance means nothing if it’s not enforced.
I can’t tell you how many parents have told me the same story: their child is being bullied, they report it to the school, and what happens? The school tells their kid they’ll “talk” to them. Excuse me? You mean the victim? Why? To make sure they’re handling it okay? To tell them to ignore it? To tell them to be the bigger person?
No. Stop. That’s not zero tolerance. That’s tolerance. That’s allowing bullying to continue while making the target feel like it’s somehow their job to deal with it. We know bullying leads to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, self-harm, suicidal thoughts—you name it. Kids who are bullied are more likely to skip school or drop out altogether. They withdraw. They stop talking. They start believing the things being said to them. And the worst part? When no one steps in, they feel like no one cares.
Before anyone says, “Well, bullying doesn’t cause suicide,” let’s be clear: bullying isn’t always the only factor, but it sure doesn’t help. When a child is already struggling—whether it’s at home, with mental health, or anything else—bullying can be the thing that pushes them over the edge. And if no one is stepping in? If they don’t feel like anyone has their back? That’s when we lose them. This is why every action—every ignored report, every brush-off—matters. It's why small kindnesses can make a difference.
I tell my boys all the time: you don’t know what someone is going through outside of school. You don’t know if that kid who sits alone at lunch is dealing with hell at home. You don’t know if the girl who got shoved in the hallway is already struggling with thoughts of self-harm. You don’t know if the boy who got called names in gym class has been hearing the same words from his own parents. A smile. A hey, how are you? One kind word can literally change a person’s day. Maybe even save their life.
But let’s be real—this isn’t just about students being kinder. It’s about schools, parents, and society actually doing something when bullying happens. Enough with the “we’ll look into it.” Enough with the “kids will be kids.” Enough with the “well, we can’t prove it.”
Are we really doing enough? Are we really keeping our kids safe? As a mom of a bullied child who is now an adult, I can confidently say: no, we’re not. If we don’t start taking this seriously, we’re going to keep losing kids to a problem we could have prevented.
So here’s the call to action that I’m asking for. No, that I’m insisting upon: Parents, hold your schools accountable. Hold your own children accountable. If your kid is being bullied, demand action. If your kid is the bully, stop making excuses and step in. Teach them empathy, respect, and consequences. Most importantly, encourage your kids to stand up for others when they see bullying happening. This is where true leaders emerge—when they stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.
If you or someone you know is being bullied, here are resources that can help:
StopBullying.gov PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center
Stomp Out Bullying If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, please reach out:
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988
Crisis Text Line – Text HOME to 741741
Big Lots Behavioral Health Pavilion at Nationwide Children’s Hospital – Help is available 24/7
444 Butterfly Gardens Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
(614) 355-8080
Remember, you are not alone. And if no one else is listening, I am.
About the Author, April Rodgers FreeWire Magazine/Content Coordinator
April Rodgers is a 1992 graduate of Bucyrus High School. She is the mother of four sons -Christian, Chase, Cameran, and Cory-and has been married to her high school crush, Art, for 11 years. She is also a proud pet mom to two fur babies: Wollee Bear, a Yorkshire Terrier, and Maverick, a rescued stray cat. She is the daughter of Harold Rodgers and Judy and Robert Dewalt. In her spare time, April enjoys shopping, traveling, and spending time with her family. A passionate reader, she loves The Shopaholic Series by Sophie Kinsella and proudly calls herself a shopaholic-just ask her Amazon driver! She also enjoys watching movies, with The American President being her all-time favorite. In the fall, you’ll find April on the sidelines cheering for the BHS Marching Band or in front of the TV watching Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills dominate the NFL. Her favorite quote comes from Josh himself: ‘Be good, do good, God bless, and go Bills!’
