Updated: Oct. 13, 2017
A mother from Australia is reaching out to fellow parents, urging them to take responsibility for their children’s actions after her daughter, Mia, attempted to take her own life due to severe bullying. Last week, Mia, only 12 years old, found herself in a hospital bed, and her parents, Jamie and Matt, were devastated. They shared a poignant image on Facebook showing Mia with her dad gently comforting her, while Jamie wrote, “Not many of you know this, but our sweet girl has been facing horrible bullying at school.”
Jamie disclosed that Mia has endured this torment for a staggering seven months—bullying that has manifested both online and offline. The culprits? Other kids. The family spent hours consulting with medical professionals after learning that Mia had made plans to end her life.
“In this digital age, children often think they can send hurtful messages without facing any consequences,” Jamie expressed, highlighting her attempts to reach out to the parents of the offending kids, only to be met with silence. “I’ve tried to talk to them about it, but they won’t listen.”
The bullying extends beyond messages; Mia has also been targeted through video harassment at school. “One of the kids filmed her sitting at her desk and made a cruel post about it on Snapchat. It’s appalling,” Jamie explained. This is the grim reality our children are facing today, and it’s utterly unacceptable.
Jamie has sought legal action, stating that the video could be deemed as the distribution of inappropriate material, but authorities dismissed it. The consequences for the bullies were minimal—one girl lost her recess time, while the one who filmed it faced no repercussions because no one would disclose who it was.
The school’s response to the situation was equally disheartening. Jamie was informed that the education department doesn’t expel students for bullying, stating, “Every child deserves an education.” But what about Mia? Isn’t she entitled to a safe learning environment as well?
To add insult to injury, the education department suggested that Jamie teach Mia “resilience against bullies.” Yes, really. Meanwhile, Mia has been sent home multiple times for self-harming, with the school restricting her access to sharp objects. This response merely addresses the surface issue, while the core problem—the bullying—remains unchallenged.
Fellow parents’ reactions have been troubling, too. “I’ve stood up for Mia and approached other parents, pleading with them to talk to their kids about stopping the harassment. Instead, I’ve been threatened with harassment myself,” she lamented.
In her heartfelt post, Jamie calls on parents to be vigilant and monitor their children’s online behavior. “In this awful era of social media, please check your kids’ messages,” she urges. “Their devices are privileges, not rights. Ensure they are being kind and respectful online.”
“Bullying impacts the entire family, not just the victim. It has to stop—now!”
For more insightful tips on parenting and addressing bullying, check out our other blog post.
In summary, Jamie Thompson’s poignant plea shines a light on the serious issue of bullying and the responsibilities of parents to oversee their children’s behavior. It highlights the emotional toll bullying takes on families and emphasizes the need for a collective effort to ensure a safe environment for all children.