Thursday, April 8, 2010

Phoebe Prince Facebook bullying: A psychiatrist's view

Phoebe Prince could not even discover peace on Facebook. Phoebe Prince, a 15 year old in South Hadley, MA hung herself after being incessantly bullied by a group of teens from South Hadley High School called the "Mean Girls of South Hadley". Even though the teens are all up on charges, it won't replace her life. The Mean Girls made a point of destroying her online life as well as her physical life. Even after death, credit while in the case of Phoebe Prince Facebook, it can also harm the psyche.

Is it possible to control a bully?

Dr. Ablow states that “In a controlled population like a school system, it is possible, from early grades, to instill in young people a psychiatrist’s view of those who perpetrate violence toward others—as broken, rather than brazen; gripped by emotional disorder, rather instead than in control.” When bullies aren't glamorized as James Dean-esque rebels anymore, then the cultural shift that is so needed can occur. Better methods than Detention and suspension should be used in schools because they are ineffective Dr. Ablow feels. What is needed is concern, not scorn. What is needed is removal or home schooling until a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist can assure the school that the bullying will stop. Parents or caregivers have to step up.



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