Web Cartoons Take Stand Against Bullying
POSTED: 1:26 p.m. EST March 1, 2004
The federal government is going to use an online cartoon to educate people about how to prevent bullying and violence.
The department of Health and Human Services announced Monday a Web-based, animated story featuring a cast of young people who deal with bullies in the classrooms,
hallways and grounds of a middle school. With help from teachers, parents, and other adults, the bullied characters get support from fellow students who step up to make it clear that bullying is "not cool."
The cartoon, which includes pauses in the action to ask viewers why they think characters behave as they do, is part of a new campaign called "Take a Stand. Lend a Hand. Stop Bullying Now!"
It is designed to combat physical violence, as well as other forms of harming others. Among boys, HHS said, bullying typically involves pushing, shoving, and other forms of physical intimidation. Girls tend to bully through gossiping, social exclusion, and verbal teasing, but boys frequently engage in these forms of bullying as well.
Eighteen preteens helped develop the campaign.
"Whether the bully or the bullied, kids involved in this torment can have
lasting social and emotional implications," Surgeon General Richard Carmona said. "By engaging the entire community in this open dialogue we can begin to discuss the problems and potential ramifications of bullying, and then look for ways to prevent it in society. Kids should be able to live and learn without the threat of being harassed."
According to the U.S. Department of Education, one in four children who act as bullies will have a criminal record by the age of 30. Studies have shown people who bully others often behave badly in school and are more likely to smoke, drink alcohol, and tend to receive lower grades.
In addition to the animated "webisodes," which will be updated every two weeks, the campaign will feature television and radio public service announcements.
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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