Dad shares heartbreaking photo of his son’s hands after a day at school

A heartbroken father has shared a seemingly innocent photo of his son’s hand on his second day of high-school before explaining the devastating reality behind the shot.

The top of the teenager’s hand was covered in black strokes from his pen, 21 in total, representing the number of times he had been hassled by bullies.

‘On his hand here, he’s made a record of how many times in the last two days he has been bullied, verbally or physically,’ dad Matthew wrote alongside the powerful image.

The father, who is from the UK, said the reality of his son’s life at school is heartbreaking – as he called for harsher penalties to be put in place for mean kids.

‘Schools need to come down harder on bullies, their parents should be fined,’ he said.

‘You expect your kids to be safe at school.’

The father said he is ‘sure the bullying will sort itself out’ but felt compelled to share the picture online anyway, to show other parents what could be happening to their kids.

‘He wanted to show us how often it’s happened in two days of school. You just don’t know what goes on,’ he said.

Others commented to let the father know he, and his son, are not alone in their grief.

One mum started her comment with ‘don’t get me started’ before explaining her son has been bullied for four years.

‘He was assaulted on Monday (not the first time) and I had to take him to hospital, he’s threatening to take his life,’ she said.

Another woman is at a loss when it comes to her daughter being harassed at school.

‘I’m so sorry and sad for your son. My daughter has been through this and she has cut her skin as many times. It boils down BAD PARENTING that these children become bullied by BAD ROLE MODELS,’ she wrote.

Others praised the man’s son for being intelligent enough to ‘make a note’ of each cruel taunt.

‘By talking about it with you he’s already jumped the first biggest hurdle which many don’t. Let’s hope the school will do something about it,’ one man said.

Some said the dad should train his son to fight back. 

‘Take your son down to your nearest bjj academy I’m sure the coaches would be glad to help your son,’ said another.

Another man agreed.

‘Why don’t you teach your son to fight back, I was once bullied and it affected me because I was scared to be laughed at.,’ he said,

‘It is better to fight back early. Teach him how to defend himself now or never.’

But this advice was dismissed by most.

‘If that goes against his nature and he changes then the bullies have one,’ one person said.

‘Sometimes the kid who fights back ends up getting in more trouble than the bullies, added another.

Teachers also commented on the post and said they are also frustrated by bullying.

‘It is difficult because we need these kids to come to us and tell us it is happening, but they are too scared to.’