Carrie Berk Shares her Advice on Standing Up to Bullying

NOTE: Bullying is extremely serious and can cause lasting issues for kids and teens. If you’re struggling with a bully at school or online, know that you are not alone. Be sure to confide in a trusted adult who can help or reach out to an organization like No Bully that can help bring bullying prevention to your school.

October is National Bullying Prevention Month, and we’re helping spread awareness with an inspiring guest post. We’ve collaborated with teen author, influencer, and style empowerment blogger, Carrie Berk to help you conquer bullying and find your strength.

As an influencer, Carrie faces cyberbullying nearly every day in the form of cruel comments posted on her feed. Even before her time in the spotlight, Carrie dealt with bullies at school who would often make fun of her for her bold style choices.

Rather than letting these awful moments define her, Carrie used them to fuel her success. She found her confidence, started Carrie’s Chronicles, and made it her mission to empower others to use their style as their superpower. Together with her mom, Carrie has co-authored the Ask Emma books, a series that tackles cyberbullying and other familiar middle school struggles. She also became a teen ambassador for No Bully, an organization working to create bully-free spaces and build awareness about bullying at schools around the country.

Since she’s been through it all, Carrie Berk was kind enough to share some of her advice with YAYOMG! readers. If you’re being bullied, or know someone who is, these five tips can help guide you through these tough moments.

Carrie Berk Shares her Advice for Staying Strong When You’re Being Bullied:

Don’t take the bully’s words or actions to heart.

I know that’s easier said than done, but realize that you have done nothing to cause this. The bully often has feelings of insecurity, jealousy, frustration or fear–understand that this is about them, not you.

Fighting back is never the answer.

Don’t engage or give a bully’s behavior any of your time, attention, or energy. Remain calm and never stoop to the bully’s level; if the bullying is being done on social media, simply ignore, delete and block.

Find your tribe.

Surround yourself with people who lift you up rather than tear you down. The more positivity you have around you, the less bullying will matter.

Speak up and be supportive.

If you see someone being bullied, find a trusted adult (parent, teacher, guidance counselor, coach) who is close by and notify him/her right away about what is going on. You are not being a tattletale for standing up against bullying. If you know a friend is being bullied, be there for them: offer to help them report the incidents to an adult, reach out to a group like No Bully, or simply listen and stress how much you care. Make sure they know they’re not alone.

Always stay true to yourself.

No matter how much the bully tries to knock your self-esteem, remember that what makes you different is what makes you special. Never let anyone change you or make you feel unworthy.

We can’t thank Carrie enough for sharing her wisdom with our readers! Want more? Carrie shared Ask Emma inspired advice for middle school struggles!

*Header Image Photo Credit: Toni Creations