When someone decides to become a bully, they decide to ruin someone’s day, or even life. Bullying isn’t limited to hurtful words- it can include physical abuse, or cyberbullying from teens’ phones. Bullying can cause frustration, anger, confusion, depression, and suicide.

“Groups of people want to be on the top of the social hierarchy,” said Mr. Larry Bush, a social-emotional learning specialist at Ralston Valley, “and they want to walk on people on their way to the top.”

Bush’s idea identifies what triggers bullying: people admire the top of their social ladder. They want to be looked upon more favorably, and raise their positions.

If this is the case, it makes sense that middle schoolers are both the biggest victims and perpetrators.

“Middle school, late elementary, to 9th grade is where it’s most active,” Bush said.

This particular age group tries to fit in with each other. The popular kids become the biggest bullies in middle school.

We often observe bullying without even noticing. “I believe all of us have either bullied someone or have been bullied at one point of our lives, just some do it worse,” said Luciano Panozzo, a junior at Arvada West. “It’s wrong, but some people do it more than others.”

Bullying has become something everybody has in common. Everybody sees it and few say anything. Victims say nothing. Bullies say nothing.

Bullying needs to be terminated. Victims must receive help. Culprits need reprimanding, and people who see bullying should intervene.