Bullying can take many forms, especially in our constantly evolving social environment. Most anti-bullying campaigns ask adolescents to step-in on behalf of the bullied to be an ally without getting to the root of the bully’s own behavior. This sense of social responsibility is good, however it does not transcend all environments and relationships.

Meet BecauseOfYou.Org. Their concept inquires all youth to be introspective and mindful of their own actions, language, and conduct. In their words, Because of You states:

The term Bullying has come to reflect a specific situation that does not always connect to the general culture of meanness which many teens experience daily.  While only one-third of teens list bullying as a top concern today, twice as many say they regularly experience more specific behaviors like drama, teasing, and exclusion. Adults often talk about bullies, bystanders and victims, but the lines are not so clear. Every day, we all have the opportunity to make someone else’s day better or worse. 

By encouraging self-reflection and focusing on specific actions, our goal is to inspire this generation to create a more empathetic and inclusive culture around them.

As with all social movements, there is no one-size-fits-all approach, but we believe that this can be an impactful part of any school and community’s anti-bullying mission. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing bullying, Response Hotline is here to help, call us anytime, 24/7.

If your school or community group is interested in changing the antibullying paradigm, Response can help you too. 

See below for some of their promotional videos & resources (click to expand):