Can we stop bullies?

Bullying has long been considered a part of growing up. In recent years, however, the problem of bullying seems to have escalated. But why? Increased family dysfunction? Lax school policies? Social media? Peer group indifference? Media hype? In order to protect our children, we need to understand the issue and focus on solutions. Is eliminating bullying a realistic goal or is it more important to equip our children with the tools to avoid becoming victims?