Bullying creates a sense of shame, lack of confidence, and insecurity that never fully goes away. There's no justification, period. One of the major reasons why bullying isn't taken seriously by bullies themselves when being told not to do it is because they play it off as "just joking". Ignoring it doesn't make it go away, it makes it far worse - it helps the real ramifications of bullying fully materialize. Bullying includes cyber bullying, it includes condescension (something teachers do without realizing it), and it especially includes peer pressure. I had friends that were there for me, but that didn't make the pain of being bullied hurt any less. Kids are brutal, they are incapable of fully empathizing and understanding what they are actually doing. This is an issue that is far too overlooked, and assertive action needs to be taken by every parent and every teacher in America.

Noah - 20 - New York

My son went away to summer camp and was bullied while there.  I was not aware until the camp had ended.  It was distressing to my son who did what he could do to cope. I have tried to help my son by  talking about what happened and what to do in the future should it occur again.

It brought back memories of my own childhood and the few times that I was bullied.  I felt powerless and alone.  I chose not to talk about what had happened to my parents or others.  I know now that it is important to shed light on these dark situations.  With light comes healing.  I hope to continue to help my son to not be quiet and hold these things inside and to better prepare him for adolescence.  

My heart goes out to kids that have been or still being bullied.  I also feel bad for the bullies themselves as they need our support, counsel and strength to help them stop their behavior.  

Chuck - 40 - NC

last year a kid in my school committed suicide because he couldn't handle it anymore. I've always been against bullying, but for me that was a wake up call. I've been bullied before and it sucks. I don't ever want any person to feel like they are not as "cool" as someone else. We are all equal. It dosent matter how many friends you have, how much money you have, or anything else. I care because I don't want anyone to feel so sad that they feel the need to tie their own life. 
  
"If you see a friend without a smile, give him one of yours"

Alexa - 13 - IL

last year in 6th grade a boy in my math class who I sat next to committed suicide. It was such a tragic event it was so upsetting and felt so unreal. I always knew bullying is such a horrible thing and I never want to see anyone be bullied. It is a wrong choice and no one should chose too. I have been bullied as well I and it's such a  bad feeling. I hope that one day there will be a solution to bullying.

Aimee - 13 - IL

I have bullied many times. I have been yelled at, shouted at, even excluded from groups. It feels very very bad. That is why I care. Everybody should care too. If you don't care try caring. 

Rupoyu - 11 - Roswell, Georgia

I have bullied many times. I have been yelled at, shouted at, even excluded from groups. It feels very very bad. That is why I care. Everybody should care too. If you don't care try caring. 

Rupoyu - 11 - Georgia

Kids used to bully me when I was young. They used to say I wasnt pretty or I was to fat. Girls used to make fun of my hair, becuase I have natural curls they said I had a wig. Then I learned they were just jealous because they didnt have what I have. Dont let anyone take away your joy, keep your head up everything gets better.  

Isaliz - 17 - Chicago, illnois

It is wrong and needs to stop ASAP.

Ethan - 13 - North Georgia

No one should have to suffer from bullying.  Bullying hurts very much!

Lucas - 12 - North Georgia

No one should have to suffer from bullying.  Bullying hurts very much!

Lucas - 12 - North Georgia

I have seen many people be bullied, I have never been bullied, but I try to stand up for the kids who have. Ive fought kids just to get them to stop bullying other kids. I feel bad for the kids that get bullied. i guess im kinda in a group of friends, but i still ahng out and be friends with everybody. If run in to me youll probably see me in a kinda country/rebel crowd, but im friends with any one who would be friends with me.

jojo - 13 - North Georgia

I have seen many people be bullied. I have never been bullied, but I try to stand up for the kids who are. I've fought kids just to get them to stop bullying other kids. I feel bad for the kids that get bullied. I guess I'm kinda in a group of friends, but I still hang out and be friends with everyone. If you run in to me you'll probably see me in a kinda country/rebel crowd, but I'm friends with anyone who would be friends with me.

Jojo - 13 - North Georgia

I care because bullying isn't nice and no one should be bulled because of there high,hair style,hair color, the way they dress or the cloths they wear or there skin  color. 

dennis - 15 - North Georgia

I care because I experienced bullying, and I want it to stop.

Brody - 13 - North Georgia

Bullying can make people want to hurt themselves and make people mad. 

Alex - 12 - north georgia

Bullying is a nationwide problem that needs to be stopped!  No one needs to be bullied because they are different.  Everyone is different in their own way.

Dalton - 12 - North Georgia

I care because nobody deserves to go through getting bullied. It's not fun its just mean.

Jacob - 12 - North Georgia

Bullying can hurt people mentally and have them feel badly about them self. In an extreme case that person could feel so bad that they want to hurt them self or others, which just makes it worse. 

Tucker - 12 - North Georgia

Bullying is a nationwide problem that needs to be stopped!  No one needs to be bullied because they are different.  Everyone is different in their own way.

Dalton - 12 - North Georgia

Bullying can make people want to hurt themselves and make people mad. 

Alex - 12 - north georgia

everyone has the right to be treated with respect.  Bullying hurts people, makes them feel less of an individual, and degrades oneself.  It needs to STOP!  I know how it feels personally and will do anything in my power as a TEACHER to make it STOP!

Claire - 34 - N. Georgia

I have never been bullied but people at my school have and are being bullied and all I want to do is find a way to tell the bully to back off but not start a fight or make me a target. So i'm just just trying to find some advice.

Lauren - 11 - FL

i have been bullied and i know how bad it can make you feel

mat - 16 - illinois

bullying causes a lot of physical and mental harm

mat - 16 - illinois

I care because I am currently going through it now. I just got a hair cut and they are bangs. Everyone seems to like them and then two boys seem to bring my day down. No matter how many compliments I get, just two negative things brought me down. I had a wonderful day and they said I looked horrible, bad, etc. In bangs. It really hurt me and now I don't want these bangs and I am trying to hide them. I keep hoping that soon they will grow out enough to hide but, nothing is working. Thoughts have buzzed my mind on how wonderful it would be to be home schooled or gone just some where new. I don't want people to go through what I am going through now. I think kids being bullied at younger ages then this is just unrealistic, no matter what age I think it hurts everyone no matter what.

Kem - 12 - Georgia

I was once bullied till I figured out how to prevent it from happening again. I feel like no one should be bullied i will do whatever it takes to make sure no one has to go through what I went through. If anyone need someone to talk too im willing to be all ears because we all been through it and I'll help you resolve this problem thanks for your time.

Jose - 20 - California,Los Angeles

Getting bullied feels terrible, especially when people talk behind your back when you are right there. The girls I sat with hates me, so they reported me to the guidance counselor because they think I'm not cool, and I'm wayyyy shorter than they are. They said what I said made them feel weird, even though I never said anything that was as bad as what they said. The counselor called my mom and said it was all my fault, even though the girls swear at everything and talk behind other people's back every chance they've got. Now I'm in trouble and they are walking away feeling so happy. Now they look at me like they are better than everyone. The counselor isn't doing anything even though she knows the main suspect. This needs to stop.

Scarlett - 12 - Massachusetts

Someone cared about me

Jennifer - 13 - Texas

I have made many mistakes in my life.  I have been mean to people, and they have been in turn mean to me.  Ever since i was in kindergarten, people have been picking on me, and I should have seen it coming.  I really, really want to help people who have had to live like me.  I go to school, it's tough, but I get home, and while she may be gone now, she made my life super difficult.  Now I know how to be the bully, and the bullied.  it's not really fun on either side of the table, and I want to help people like me, because my life was one that nobody NOBODY deserves.

Myrah - 15 - USA

I know how it feels to get bullied. I have been bullied for 8 years now and I am still getting bullied. And it isn't fun at all. I also have some friends that are getting bullied too and it sucks just to know that someone you care about is getting picked on and also it sucks just to see them going to pain also. I get bullied at school and online they call me fat, ugly, weird, and other hurtful names. And the pain that I am going through right now, nobody should ever go through but I know that there are some people that are going through maybe even worse that I am going through. And to know that some lives get lost due to bullying I just think that that takes bullying too far. And when I see people getting bullied I step in and say something because I can't just stand there and do noting. I'm just too nice to stand by and watch. That is why I care.

Kaitlin - 15 - NE