Hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives to natural disasters in the past 20 years; global wars have claimed hundreds of millions more; but the most destructive force known to humanity is more powerful than either of those. It cannot be seen, but it is there—bullying.

  Bullying is a topic people seem to mention all the time. Phrases such as “No bullying!” or “Stop bullying!” are said frequently, when in the meantime there isn’t enough work being done to prevent bullying from happening. 

  According to a study done by the Secret Service and reported by the Associated Press, “Most students who committed deadly school attacks over the past decade were badly bullied.”  At first victims don’t do anything about it; they suffer in peace. Then when they try to tell people what’s going on, it seems like no one listens to them. 

  A more popular form of bullying is known as cyberbullying, where communication over the internet is used to intimidate or threaten someone. This type of bullying affects mainly those on social media platforms. 

  According to EndCyberbullying.com, “Popular kids or teens may bully because they see it as a way to stay popular or hurting others makes them feel powerful.”

  It went on, “As for kids or teens who are less socially successful, they may bully because it helps them cope with their own low self-esteem, they think it will help them fit in with their peers, or they have trouble empathizing with those they hurt.”

  When teenagers see negative comments about their physical features or how they style theirselves, they will most likely want to change. 

  Most teenagers try to fit into the society they live in. This is evident in the way young girls obtain eating disorders to make their body look acceptable in society’s eyes. Actions like these will eventually lead to serious health problems.

  The world is unfair, and it always will be, but we can’t let bullies take control of our lives.