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Attack ads model bullying behavior

May 9, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Dear editor:

We are writing to you regarding bullying and cyber-bullying. Examples of bullying, such as the tragic deaths of Amanda Todd and Rehtaeh Parsons, are household news across this country. Real change has to take place to tackle this destructive behaviour and prevent such tragic outcomes. The elimination of attack advertisements that focus solely on the individual rather than on their policies and ideas is one such change that must take place.

Attack ads are used regularly in politics. We have come to expect their appearance when elections are called and, more recently, between elections. These ads are considered to be “socially accepted”. However, today’s bullying problems demand that we look to find ways to make things better. When any politician uses media to attack their opponent on a personal level, it is just like taking part in cyber-bullying. These kinds of attack ads tell us that using forms of media to make people look immature or unprofessional is okay. Is that the message that you want to get across?

Attack ads are often used by the leaders of our communities, our province, and our country. These are the people that we are supposed to look up to. They are our leaders and they represent authority. When we watch ads on national television that show bullying behaviour, we know that the politicians are being hypocritical. Why are adults telling us that calling someone names, making fun of their appearance or attacking their family is wrong, but they openly do exactly those things on television and on the radio? Adults need to model the behaviour that they want us to use. We learn more from what we see around us every day then we will ever learn from lectures (monkey see, monkey do).

Politicians, please take the time to think about the messages that you present to us. Consider the hidden messages that your advertisements get across. Remember that the audience of your media campaigns goes beyond the voting age. It is time for you to be the adults who model the kind of behaviour that you want to see on the school yard and on the Internet. If we did not bring this to your attention, we would become the passive bystanders which is wrong, given that we have been taught that this is not the way to help. We need to stand up for those who are being bullied. Maybe then people will start treating each other better and be less likely to use the Internet and other forms of media to attack people.

Grade 7 students

Mrs. Curtis–McCabe’s Class

Tecumseth Beeton Elementary School

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