28/04/2026
Everyone is bullying a young man simply because he couldn’t read. Imagine how difficult life already is for him—even within the community he lives in. In many cases, the situation offline can be just as harsh, if not worse, than what happens on the internet.
But how did our Armed Forces get to this point? Why was a video of a new recruit allowed to surface online in such a manner? Does our respected and professional army fully understand the implications of actions like this—especially the effects of cyberbullying on people’s lives?
Cyberbullying is not a minor issue. According to UNICEF, about **1 in 3 young people in over 30 countries report being victims of online bullying**. Even more concerning, studies by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that victims of bullying are **significantly more likely to experience depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts**. Globally, suicide—often linked to issues like bullying—is responsible for **over 700,000 deaths every year**, as reported by the World Health Organization.
We are all laughing at the situation—myself included—but that doesn’t make it right. Yes, I believe that professional standards for recruitment into the army should never be compromised. However, we could have handled this better than exposing someone to public ridicule.
I will say it clearly: this was a mistake. Our army, known for its professionalism and discipline, should address this and ensure it never happens again. Imagine recording a serving soldier, posting their video because of a simple mistake, and allowing the public to mock them—how would that reflect on the institution?
If many of us have not taken the time to read or research cyberbullying, we should. It is not just about jokes or entertainment; it has real consequences and has driven people to take their own lives around the world.
We must find better, more humane ways of handling such situations in the future.
