We Stand Together Against Bullying

Bullying is an issue among children of all ages, and we constantly receive information on what it is and how to stop it across many platforms: school assemblies, pamphlets passed out by the school counselor, a poster in the hallway with the words: “If you see something, say something” emblazoned upon it. Someone in an office designed these posters and pamphlets, typically not signing a name to the work, leaving it anonymous and unrelatable. 

However, lately, more relatable and familiar people have added their voices to the topic over a more modern and more easily accessible platform: these people are your favorite pop stars, comedians, and sitcom actors, and this platform is social media. This past weekend, when an instance regarding a bullied child, Keaton Jones, went viral, stars came together to show this child that there is love and goodness in the world. Chris Evans offered Keaton and his mom tickets to see Evans’ Captain America portrayal in the upcoming Avengers: Infinity War film.  Tennessee quarterback, Jarett Guarantano, spent the day with Keaton, later remarking on how much the two had in common.

Singer Justin Bieber posted a video praising Keaton for his strength, and fellow pop singer Katy Perry posted, as well, claiming that hearing about Keaton’s struggle with bullying broke her heart.

 

When kids are bullied, they often feel as if they are alone in their struggle. However, according to nobullying.com, over 70 percent of teens have seen bullying, and nearly 30 percent of middle and high school students have been bullied themselves. While these statistics are saddening, they may provide solace to students who are bullied because so many children go through the same thing. If you are among the 70 percent who have witnessed bullying, did you do anything to stop the situation?

If not, here are some ways you could have intervened, and can intervene in the future:

• Get a friend or several to help calmly remove the victim from the situation.
• Don’t laugh, and tell others around you to do the same.
• If you are passing the situation after it has begun, ask those who have been there longer if the victim is in any serious danger. If yes, get help.
• If you are afraid to extract the victim yourself, either out of fear for embarrassing the student further or out of fear for yourself get help. Know which adults you can trust to help the student out in a calm, quick manner.
• If adults have been involved and the situation continues, contact a local bullying hotline or reporting service. Try reporting it to teachers, then the administration, then, if the student is still in either physical or emotional danger, contact -- or have a parent contact -- the district.

If you are among the 30 percent – the victims – find people you trust and tell them what is happening. Be open about your feelings, and don’t play it down so they won’t worry about you. If you are being bullied and are unable to stop the situation quickly and yourself, someone else needs to intervene.

However, not all bullying is face-to-face. Cyberbullying is on the rise. This type of bullying can often be more vicious than in-person bullying because it is easier to be mean to someone when you don’t have to look them in the eye. Cyberbullying can be a mean comment on a post or a brutally honest text to someone. For a victim of cyberbullying, it can feel like: people in a groupchat ganging up on you; receiving cruel comments on a site where people can post anonymously, which may be intended as “constructive criticism,” but feel like attacks; a post making fun of you. It is easy to pretend that you didn’t see cyberbullying. Clear your history, and it seems like you never even visited the page. But, victims of cyberbullying don’t have that luxury as others continue to see and share the posts and the memory of that cruelty can stick with a victim for life. 

How you can do something to stop bullying

• Many sites like Kidzworld allow you to anonymously report a comment and get it taken down. 
• Tell the victim that you understand and are there to help. 
• It is so easy to make such a big difference in someone’s life, and now, you know how. 
• Remember: kindness can defeat cruelty.

Kidzworld joins the fight against bullying

Kidzworld stands against all types of bullying and has a zero tolerance policy on bullies. As the first safe, secure kids online network, Kidzworld remains dedicated to protecting our users from unwelcome contact, inappropriate language, and bullying. 

We encourage kids and teens like you to express yourself through the creation of your own content, blogs, stories and poetry. And you and your parents can feel confident knowing that your user profile is a safe and secure way to interact with the Kidzworld community. Our chatroom and forums have always been and will always be fully moderated, and we have an anonymous reporting system to alert us to any suspicious or unwanted activity. Kidzworld truly is a safe kids social network and we are grateful to you, our loyal fans and readers, for making this community a creative, fun, and BULLY-FREE zone.

This article was contributed by 16 year old Alexa Stevens. Alexa is co-president and founder of her school's Social Action Club and a member of the National Honor Society. She contributes regularly to her school newspaper and The Easy Reader, a weekly publication in the Los Angeles South Bay. When she isn’t writing, she helps lead kids’ creative writing workshops through Writopia, a national non-profit organization.

Have Your Say

How do you stand up to bullies? What advice do you have for other readers? Comment below!