A BARRHEAD pupil is speaking out against her bullies who targeted her for NOT being on social media.

The 15-year-old, who we have agreed not to identify, has revealed years of torment and isolation within St Luke’s High because she avoided having social media, often blamed for rampant bullying amongst young people.

She and her family wanted to highlight that bullying isn’t just physical, and despite the school’s best efforts, the torture can continue.

The pupil told the Barrhead News: “I’ve had my fair share of dealing with nasty girls over my time being in school. I came off my social media platforms three years ago when I was 13 because of the negativity surrounding it. 

“It was the best decision I ever made. However, being in the same environment with the same people for years, negativity always finds a way to sneak up behind me.

“In school, they preach about anti-bullying but I think this is one of the biggest lies they tell. They don’t teach us how to deal with it, but if we stand up for ourselves, we’re in the wrong.

“There are different forms of bullying and it isn’t just hitting and punching.”

The pupil said her experience of bullying was people ignoring her when she speaks to them, not inviting her out and sitting at lunch with their backs to her.

She said: “This has had a huge negative impact on my social skills as in primary I was out-going and confident and not afraid to be myself. But now in high school you can’t like your own hobbies or you’re a freak. 

“Once I had discovered this, my confidence massively dropped. Now I’m too afraid to talk in case I sound stupid. So for the whole day, I sit in silence. 

“Anytime the teacher tells us to get into pairs or groups I want the ground to swallow me up. I don’t like sharing my ideas with my peers because I’m too afraid they’ll reject them or I usually end up without a partner.”

She added: “Anyone reading this who is in school, work or any social environment and sees someone sitting by themselves, please go talk and be kind to them because it will have a massive, positive impact on them.”

The pupil’s mum echoed the plea and bullying needed to be taken more seriously.

She said: “The school has done their best to help, but bullying goes on all the time, regardless. They always find something to pick on them for.

“You don’t need to be on social media to be popular.”

An East Renfrewshire Council spokesman said: “We operate a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of bullying and take any allegations of this behaviour extremely seriously. 

“We have a very low incident rate of bullying behaviour in our schools and robust policies and measures in place to investigate, address and record any issues. 

“Staff at the school are always available to discuss any issues impacting a pupil’s wellbeing and would urge the family to get in touch to allow these matters to be addressed.”