Specific law needed to curb menace of bullying

Schools can play big role in curbing bullying

Children who are exposed to domestic violence or are spoiled by their family members are more likely to bully other kids, especially those who are over-protected by the parents. So apart from parents maintaining vigil on their children, community policing is also needed to curb bullying because most of the bullying takes place outside campus, either on the way to school or on the way back home.

Violent online games and TV dramas, too, have a negative effect on children's minds, and some students might try those violent acts on their fellow kids.

Bullying is included in laws such as the Law on the Protection of Minors, and some regulations and guidelines define how to deal with bullying on campus. But a specific law on bullying is still needed to effectively curb this menace, as it could be used by the victims to seek legal help to counter the bullies.

If schools lay more emphasis on making campuses bullying-free, by disseminating legal and moral education, and establishing healthy school-family communication, bullying can be curbed.

Still, there is a need for parents to communicate more with their kids. This will not only help the parents to know if their kids are bullied, but also take immediate action by informing the school authorities and saving the kids from further intimidation.

Zhang Jing, head of the Family Development Research Center at China Women's University

The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.