Mom, music teacher creates bullying prevention song

Posted: 11/1/2016

“Stop That! A Bullying Prevention Anthem” was written by Annie Lynn and Chris Arms as a response to bullying experienced by Chris’ daughter and Annie’s son Alex and his friends nine years ago. Alex was just 11 years old with Asperger’s when he was the target of bullying. But when the boy who bullied Alex began targeting an 8-year-old boy with autism on the school bus, Alex turned around and told the boy, “Stop it!”

During this time, Annie had been attending workshops about best practices in bullying prevention, and was using the online resources available from PACER’s National Bullying Prevention Center. “I had so many talking points stuck in my head, and so much frustration and sadness for my child and all the others who were being bullied,” Annie said. “I ended up writing a few songs about bullying prevention and tolerance and acceptance. Most of my songs have the word ‘kindness’ in them because, to me, success anywhere starts with kindness. It’ll beat negativity every time.”

Annie, who was working as a volunteer with the music teacher in her son’s school district, gathered a group of other children who had been bullied, including Alex, and recorded “Stop That! A Bullying Prevention Anthem.” Annie has received positive responses to the song from around the world, demonstrating the fact that bullying is a global issue. She and Chris have now made the song available to PACER. “I want to be a part of the important work PACER has been and is doing,” Annie said. “I have followed PACER and its advice for years and years, in distant admiration.” She also noted that Alex is now a sophomore in college and is “doing well.”

By: Annie