Casey Heynes Video Interview with A Current Affair

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-5jktFu4iE

Video Details
  On March 14, 2011, 15-year old Australian Casey Heynes fought back against his bully and it was all caught on a mobile phone video which has since spread like wildfire across the world. This YouTube video is a copy of the Sunday March 20, 2011 broadcast of the show, A Current Affair. The broadcast shows the first interview with Casey Heynes and his feelings on the world wide attention this altercation has received. Heynes told Australia's A Current Affair that years of being a victim finally caught up with him, and he just snapped. This bullying started in elementary school and he had hoped things would change when he got to high school, but instead, they got worse. After his friends left him, he was alone and isolated and contemplated suicide. Now, even though he was suspended for a few days, he has no regrets because this torment is finally over.
Review
  I admit that I was one of the millions who copied the YouTube video and placed it on my Facebook page. I was proud of Casey for standing up against years of bullying. As an educator and a parent, I don't condone fighting, but in this case, I see nothing but self defense. Of course, now the bully is an easy target for hate mail, taunting, as the tables have turned and the vicious cycle has begun. Where were the administration, the teachers, and the parents all of these years, and why was nothing done? Without education and positive role models, bullying will be pushing so many kids over the edge. This is a great video to share with tweens as they can see the true story and the affects it has on all those involved.

xEtHaNzz. (2011, March 20). Casey heynes full interview on aca. [ Video File ]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-5jktFu4iE.

Stop Cyberbullying Website

Website Details

  This website was created by the corporation Wired Kids and is headed by Parry Aftab and the Wired Kids Inc. boards and committees. Parry Aftab is a security, privacy, and cyberspace lawyer, as well as an author and child advocate. She is considered a world wide leader in the area of online safety and child Internet education. This group was awarded the President's Service Award from the White House and Points of Light Foundation. Stopcyberbullying.org provides children ages 7-17 years old and parents and caregivers information on cyberbullying. Sections offer details on what cyberbulling is, how it works, why people cyberbully, how to prevent it, how to take action, and what is the law against cyberbullying. There are also different icons that have information divided into age groups, parents and caregivers, educators, and law enforcement. Kids can also download a game called Alex Wonder Kid Cyberdetective to help stop cyberbullying.

Review

  This was such an easy to use website and it had a great simple interface with little distraction. All of the information was updated and factual as well as witty and appropriate for the different ages. I loved that aside from the important bullet points, sections were also broken down by age group. This allowed each age group to obtain information that was at their level, received information that pertained to them, and subject matter than interested them. Both parents and their children can search this website together and have starting points to engage conversation. Some subjects offer short quizzes and scenarios that open up kids and parents to conversation in a non threatening way. The icing on the cake was the downloadable game that appeals to the tween group and my daughter found it fun, easy to use, and got important points across about the dangers of cyberbullying.

Interest Age/Reading Level

7 years old- Adult/ 7 years old-adult

WiredKids Inc. (2011). Stop bullying. Retrieved from http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/contact_us.html.

We Want You to Know: Kids Talk About Bullying by Deborah Ellis

Book Details

  Author Deborah Ellis collected more than 30 personal accounts of bullying taken straight from the mouths of children ages 9-13 years old. These kids have overcome being bullied, know someone who has been bullied, or have been a bully themselves and have shared their stories in this book as a part of an anti-bullying campaign in Canada. Bigger questions are asked such as why do educators and parents just stand by and let the bullying continue, and what makes a bully start bullying. The writing in this book is great for kids and for adults, and both will feel a deep connection to their stories. 

Review

  Katie stays home, Adam is beat up all the time and Amanda hides in the school closet during lunch to hide from a group of girls who call her ugly and fat. All of these first hand accounts are written about in this book created from author Deborah Ellis. The scenarios have real names, ages, locations, and pictures posted which gives readers a sense of intimacy. Readers will find at least one story that they can relate to and this book would be a great resource in classroom and library discussions. Although these stories are disturbing and distressing, it is a great book to share with children who are being bullied or are in fact, bullies themselves. 

Interest Age/Reading Level

9-12 years old/tween

Ellis, D. (2010). We want you to know: Kids talk about bullying. Canada: Coutea Books.

Pacer Kids Against Bullying

Website Details
Parent Advocacy Coalition for Educational Rights (PACER) presents Kids Against Bullying, an interactive website where kids can get information on how to fight bullying.  The website includes Games and Fun, Contests, Watch This, Kids Say, and Smart Stuff.  Games and Fun has scrabble and word find games along with tales about bullying.  The Contest section has entries for poetry and artwork.  Kids Say features videos and real stories from other tweens.  Smart Stuff talks about what bullying is and isn't, who does it and why, and what you can do to spot it and stop it.  The site even offers a place to take a pledge and sign a petition showing you are against bullying.

Review
An informative site that event features Demi Lovato, Disney star from Sonny with a Chance and Camp Rock.  Demi, who was bullied in middle school, tells how she overcame verbal harassment and bullying to become the strong person she is today. Demi encourages everyone to help put an end to bullying.

Interest Age/Reading Level
Suitable for grades 3-7, older tweens can also visit  http://www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org/

kidsAgainstBullying. (2011). kidsAgainstBullying. Retrieved March 18, 2011, from http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.

Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain!

 

DVD Details
Trevor Romain gives tips on how to deal with bullies in this DVD based on his book, Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain.  Jack doesn't want to go to Tovar Junior High School because of a bully named Henry.  He learns from Trevor and his friend, Skye, that hiding, ignoring, and fighting are not the way to fight bullies.  Myths  and truths about bullying are explained and advice on what to do instead is given.  There are also special features such as a message from the author, music videos, and a resource guide for both parents and teachers to use.

Review
Great advice on how to stand up for yourself, and the importance of self confidence is portrayed in humorous fashion. Romain dispenses advice as a character in the story helping to bring it to life.

Interest Age/Reading Level
Suitable for grades 4-8.

Romain, T. (Director). (2008). Trevor Romain: Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain. [DVD]. United States of America. Porchlight Home Ent.

Stopping Verbal Bullying - New Dimension Media

Video Details
One of the first words that come to mind to describe this video is authentic.  The majority of the production is focused on middle school students who are sharing their stories of being bullied, bullying and witnessing bullying. Their stories are obviously true. These are not child actors reading from a script.  The emotional trauma of a young girl is obvious as she recalls being shunned and made fun of beginning in the fourth grade.  She describes the desperation of not knowing who to trust and internalizing the extreme and constant pain and threat of being bullied.  Another young girl describes how she has now reflected on her part in bullying others and clearly is remorseful and has even made amends with her victim through a personal letter and a public apology that both come across as sincere. The younger brother of another victim witnessed the bullying of  his sister and then was inspired to start an anti bullying campaign at his middle school to bring awareness and offer solutions. 
Review
This video is available for checkout at public libraries and would be a great beginning for any tween interested in exploring any aspect of bullying. The video includes suggestions for real-life solutions. It also includes a study guide to assist any teachers willing to open the discussion of bullying in the classroom. This is an excellent resource.

Interest Age/Reading Level

Recommended for Grades 6 through 12.

Part of The Emmy Award winning series: Connect With Kids

CWKNetwork. (2007). Stopping Verbal Bullying [DVD]. United States of America: New Dimension Media.