Schools Across Asia Report Rising Bullying Linked to Social Media

Educational institutions globally are grappling with a rise in bullying and threats, often exacerbated by social media influence. In Schertz, Texas, a social media terroristic threat directed at a high school led to an increased police presence, though no specific danger was found. Similarly, schools in Jönköping Municipality increased security measures following indirect social media threats, despite no concrete evidence of imminent harm. The Malaysian Ministry of Education is actively addressing bullying by implementing safety audits, CCTV installations, psychosocial support, and parent education modules, with plans for a National Anti-Bullying Plan. In Indonesia, experts link the rise in bullying to social media's normalization of violence and stress the importance of ethical and mental health education, with some schools focusing on character development. Indian schools report that bullying has intensified in aggression and scope, fueled by inappropriate social media content, affecting language, behavior, and introducing biases, prompting calls for trauma-informed training and stronger psychosocial support.