Our View: Adult approach to bullies needed

A video showing a bullied boy retaliating against one of his persecutors has "gone viral" on the internet, attracting plenty of fans and prompting debate about his actions.
Many say the bully, who was basically picked up and dumped on the ground, deserved what he got. Others say the bullied boy could have seriously hurt the other boy.
School leaders may be loathe to admit there is bullying among their students but a school where there is no bullying would be extremely hard - more likely impossible - to find.
Bullying comes in all forms. It's not just out loud teasing or pushing around. Bullies are mean and sneaky and they will find many opportunities to make life miserable for their victims.
Parents and teachers must be vigilant. They should be well placed to notice any differences in their students or children and action should be taken immediately.
Bullies should be punished but may also have issues that need to be identified and addressed in the long term if there is to be a positive change in their behaviour.
How do we stop bullying? It's doubtful we can or ever will. Sadly, it is the nature of some people to bully others, presumably to mask their own insecurities and failings. It happens in the adult world as well as in schools.
These days of course, bullying is more surreptitious. It can be done via text or postings on social network websites. Bullies don't just round up a victim in a corner of the playground and poke fun at them or assault them anymore. New technology has provided them with a new tool.
So there is really no way to eliminate it or even for schools to know exactly how big a problem they may have.
What parents and schools must do then is ensure that all children know what to do if it happens to them. While there will always be some who will suffer in silence for a long time before matters come to a head and the issue is revealed, more children and teenagers are likely to come forward if they know who to go to.
People are applauding the actions of the bullied Australian boy and while that is understandable, it's probably not that helpful. As in the adult world, we can't have youngsters going around taking the law into their own hands. We must make sure there are systems and people in place to stamp out any serious problems before or as they arise.