Often I hear the phrase, "Mind your own business." Nowadays people really mind their own business. A freshman in a Massachusetts high school hanged herself from a stairwell at her home in January. Phoebe Prince, an Irish immigrant, was bullied by her fellow classmates. The district attorney said that some of the school staff knew about the incident but failed to take proper action.

Some of the students attacked her through popular social networks, but Prince was mainly bullied on school grounds such as the library, the lunchroom and the hallways. Students need to have the option of protection by the school staff in these situations. If students are able to follow the rules, then school authorities need to provide safety in return.

In Phoebe Prince’s case, the school is responsible for her suicide. The staff failed to punish the bullies when the bullying started. Phoebe Prince’s parents also alerted school officials, but they ignored their complaints.

In today’s society, people tend to ignore incidents. Apparently, they don’t care because it’s not their problem. Now, bullying has gotten out of hand and people are left scrambling, wondering who is to blame. Is suicide not enough of a sign that something must be done?

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2007, 32% of the students from ages 12-18 reported that they were bullied. School bullying is nothing new; it has been going on for many years. Unfortunately, with the onset of the technological generation, bullying has been taken to a whole new level. School authorities, however, have not risen to this level. Not even close.

I moved to New York when I was seven. I was in a new environment and I did not understand English. A few girls bothered me and called me names. I spoke up and things were settled. I had a friend who encouraged me to speak up; had it not been for her, the teasing would have continued. If people see that their friend is being bullied, they should speak to their friend or someone with authority. High school bullying operates on a much larger degree, but it is important to encourage bullying victims to speak up.

In the subway stations you often hear, "When you need something, say something," but not everyone will take action. Phoebe Prince’s incident is a misfortune. In school, her classmates knew and did nothing; her teachers knew and failed to take proper precautions. Why was there a lack of sympathy or care in this situation?

This tragedy could have been avoided if someone had spoken up and punished the bullies when the incident occurred. Now the bullies have been punished but at the expense of Phoebe Prince’s life.