Bullying has been a problem for both boys and girls for decades but girls can be particularly harsh verbally towards one another. All young girls have witnessed, been a bully or been the victim of one, no one is immune. Today’s kids have the added burden of social media to make their experiences more public and hurtful. Bullying is threatening and at sometimes criminal. Delete Digital Drama, Seventeen magazines continuing campaign to end cyberbulling joins forces with OPI and celebrities to get the word out.
A joint Seventeen/Facebook survey of nearly 5000 girls reveals some interesting statistics.
- More than 51% said they see hurtful posts about other girls at least once a week
- Over 54% said they had stood up to bullying at one point in the last year using such tactics as deleting a hurtful comment or blocking the person who wrote it
- 51% said they had contacted a person who had been bullied to reach out or say something positive
- 83% believe they should be helping each other online to stop the bullying
Seventeen readers share stories on how they were cyberbullied and how they overcame it. One user started her own platform “Cyber Bulling: Think Before You Type”, taking what happened to her and sharing with others so they realize they are not alone while educating the public on the issue. Another girl received emails, blog posts and had a YouTube channel specifically created to cyberbully her. They talk about their varying tactics and success stories for ending cyberbulling including simply ignoring the comments or confronting the bully.
The STOMP Out Bullying organization for kids and teens has ideas on how to deal with cyberbulling including blocking the bully and saving the evidence to give to authorities if the bullying becomes threatening. Check out their website and ideas on how to deal with the problem.
People are showing their support on Instagram, Twitter and other social media websites. Uploading photos and sharing their stories with the hashtag #17Delete. You can find celebrities stories and thoughts on cyberbulling on Seventeen’s website and see how ABC Family stars feel about cyberbulling.
OPI has joined the cause with a custom color for the fight against cyberbulling. You can enter to win a bottle of OPI 17 delete polish on Seventeen magazine’s website when signing up for a free trial subscription or buy your own now.
You can show your support and help end cyberbulling with a t-shirt designed by L'Amour by Nanette Lepore, available at JC Penny for $10. Join celebrities in the fight including Willow Smith, Willa Holland and Kendall and Kylie Jenner. Wristbands and pins with stomp out bullying on them can also be found here.
Don’t forget to dress up your Facebook and Twitter profiles with the custom #17Delete badge and show your support for this worthwhile cause.
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