Kids react: Bullying

A YouTube series that shows a group of children viral videos, and records their reaction. This episode was of more serious nature than their usual programs. I am struck by the maturity of the children.

If any child is getting bullied, and happens to read this:
As cliched as it sounds - do not suffer alone. You are not the first, and unfortunately, nor will you be the last to be bullied. Tell someone. Someone you trust. Different people will deal with bullying in different ways. For a few years in school I was bullied. It was awful. I felt like it would never end. I told teachers, which meant it stopped for a while, then would restart. I wish I went to different teachers. It only ended when I answered back (thanking them for their taunts - that they didn't expect). Now these are memories from a previous time. You will get over it.

More importantly, if you are witness to bullying, do not stay silent. Your silence contributes to the bullying. You are in a position of power. Your silence gives the bullies power to continue what they are doing to whoever they wish. But your voice will take away this power. Speak up. Tell a teacher in private. They won't say who told, and you maintain your anonimity, and thus prevent this from occuring.

If you are the bully. Take a long hard look at yourself. You may be hurting. Or hurting others may temporalily make you feel better about your self. But I'll warn, life has a funny way - what goes around, comes around. There is nothing brave, big or remotely popular about being mean. Others will dislike you for it, and will forever remember you in a bad way. You do not need to be like that. Being nice doesn't mean being weak. It just means being nice. You will feel good about yourself when you are caring and polite towards others. It's hard work to get that point from where you are now. You will need to rebuild trust with others. But in the long run, is well worth it.

And if a teacher is reading this - take bullying seriously. Those 'little' disagreements are part of a bigger picture, having a long term impact on the children in front of you. They will carry through those memories and experieces into adulthood. You are in a position of great responsibility helping to raise society's next generation of young adults. Some of my best teachers instilled a sense of social responsibility in myself and my peers. Some of my worst teachers took no interest in even the teaching itself.