Online danger: Cyberbullying has created a new landscape where people, often hiding behind anonymity, engage in harassment and public shaming with little accountability. — 123rf
WHEN people hear the word “bullying,” they often associate it with childhood: taunts on the playground, exclusion from social groups, or physical intimidation.
However, bullying is not something that is left behind when we leave school; it exists in workplaces, politics, social structures, and even within families. It is a deeply ingrained social problem that thrives on power imbalances, often masquerading under different names – harassment, oppression, manipulation, religious coercion, or even leadership.
Nature of bullying
At its core, bullying is about domination. It is the exertion of power over those who are weaker, helpless, or perceived as lesser. Some bullies may not even recognise their behaviour as bullying because it has been normalised by culture or social conditioning. Others, however, thrive on exerting control, feeding their own insecurities under the illusion of superiority.
From employees being mistreated by their superiors to political leaders oppressing their citizens, bullying can take many forms.
Those in positions of power – whether civil servants, politicians, enforcement agencies, or even members of the judiciary – can engage in bullying under the guise of authority.
When enforcement officers abuse their power, when politicians pass unjust laws to suppress dissent, when civil servants make life unnecessarily difficult for ordinary citizens through bureaucracy, or when the judiciary bends justice to favour the powerful, they are engaging in a form of societal bullying.
These actions may not involve physical aggression, but they cause suffering, injustice, and oppression all the same.
The digital age has only expanded the reach of bullying.
Cyberbullying has created a new landscape where people, often hiding behind anonymity, engage in harassment and public shaming with little accountability.
This is no longer just an issue of personal interactions; it has become a systemic problem that influences public discourse, policymaking, and even national stability.
Illusion of normalcy
One of the most dangerous aspects of bullying in society is how it is often normalised. Those in comfortable positions may not recognise the suffering of others. They may believe their actions are justified, that their way of thinking is “normal”, and that those affected are merely weak or oversensitive. This lack of awareness allows cruelty to persist.
History is filled with examples of societal bullying – entire groups of people being discriminated against, denied opportunities, or silenced.
Many who contribute to such oppression do not view themselves as bullies; they see their actions as maintaining order, tradition, or superiority. The normalisation of such behaviour prevents self-reflection and change.
Consequences of bullying
A society that tolerates or ignores bullying fosters an environment of fear, resentment, and division.
On a personal level, the psychological and emotional toll on victims can be devastating, leading to long-term trauma, anxiety, and self-doubt.
Collectively, when bullying behaviour is embedded in institutions and governance, it breeds injustice, unrest, and even social collapse.
What many fail to realise is that actions – whether cruel or kind – eventually return in one form or another.
Those who exploit and oppress may believe they are untouchable, but history has repeatedly shown that no empire built on cruelty stands the test of time without consequence. Likewise, no one who holds or exercises power arrogantly or oppressively goes unpunished.
Moving toward a more compassionate society
If bullying is ultimately rooted in insecurity and a lack of empathy, then the antidote lies in self-awareness and compassion.
We must question our own behaviour – are we unknowingly complicit in bullying? Do we ignore suffering because it does not affect us personally? Are we silent when we should speak out?
While individual reflection is crucial, structural changes are also necessary.
Workplaces must implement stronger policies against harassment. Schools must not only address bullying among children but also educate them about its long-term societal effects.
Those in power – politicians, civil servants, enforcement agencies staff, and the judiciary – must be held accountable for actions that marginalise certain groups or deny people their dignity.
A truly progressive society is not just one that advances in technology or economy but one that actively works to eliminate systemic cruelty.
Empathy, justice, and awareness must become the foundation of our interactions. Only then can we hope to create a world where bullying, in all its forms, no longer thrives.
Senior lawyer Dato Sri Dr Jahaberdeen Mohamed Yunoos is the founder of Rapera, a movement which encourages thinking and compassion among Malaysians. The views expressed here are entirely his own.
