Keep the focus on teenage bullying issue

I am a student of Youthreach Knocknaheeny and I am writing to raise the topic of bullying amongst teenagers and young people. It is a huge issue and we all need to take action.

I recently read your article (Irish Examiner, Jan 6) about teenage bullying. I was impressed by the way three schoolgirls from Ballinora set up an anti-bullying campaign. It was interesting the way other Red Cross members then got involved with their wallet-sized information card with helpful tips on how to deal with being bullied, how to recognise if you are a bully and all the contact information for organisations which help victims. They are also making t-shirts with the slogan ‘Don’t be a bully, be a buddy’.

I think this was a good idea because Red Cross got involved and are going around to other schools to encourage young people to be a buddy. It’s amazing that three young schoolgirls started this and they got loads of people to join them and they got this far. It just goes to show that anybody can, and should, take action. Bullying in any form is wrong, and the issue needs to be constantly highlighted.