Real Teens Speak Out

Bullying

I was always a victim of bullying. Kids used to do mean things to me all the time. I didn’t tell anyone because I didn’t want to trouble them. One day in middle school, a group of seniors had plotted something against me. They pushed me and called me mean names and recorded a video of it on youtube, luckily I found it and reported it. I told my mom and she told the principal. Nobody messed with me anymore.

i love you all

hi i’ve never been openly bullied but i’ve read these stories for a couple hours and my heart breaks for everyone who has been through this

people have said it but just in case i love you ur amazing don’t worry stay safe call a trusted friend and keep going ur strong and beautiful and ur worth it xoxo

Don’t be a Bystander, be a Upstander

When I was little, my sister (she prefers to stay anonymous) would always play outside with her friends. Her friends were “popular”, and they would always hang out at the park with her under certain circumstances. For example, if she brought candy, or brought pencils that they could use. If she didn’t bring these things, she would get kicked out of the friend group for the day, or even hurt.
When my mom, or I asked her how she was feeling, she would always lie about it, and say that she had an amazing day. My mom started noticing that my sister would always take things. It started with little things like a pack of candies now and then, but then it grew, like my mom’s earrings, or her necklaces. My mom would question my sister about it, but my sister would shake it off, and say that she just wanted to wear it for the day, and our mom was too busy to hear her ask beforehand. Also, when my mom would ask her how her bruises showed up, and she said that she just walked into something, or it appeared without her noticing.
Finally one day after she came with a black eye, she told us that her friends were bullying her. She said she was too scared to tell us before, because the girls said that if she said anything they would hurt her more. My mom decided to let my sister move schools, and talked to the friend’s parents about the bullying.
In the end, she wanted to share the message that you should speak to a trusted adult if you are getting bullied, even if you have a potential threat, because the trusted adult will always figure a way out.

A Vote For Leadership

At my high school we had a election held every year for the student body, I was a Junior so I was finally allowed to run. There was this one group that was also running. That particular group bullied me since middle school, they were all the ‘popular’ kids. I am gay and I have been out since I was a kid, so I was a prime target. I started to fight to back when I got into Junior year, which garnered me as a leader to most of the other kids that were also being bullied. So, with some support I ran a campaign. The popular boys ran too and capitalised on the queer community within the school and they demonised us, saying that we would be forced to be straight under their government. There was no teachers stopping them from saying all these things, no one was on our side. Eventually they won the election. I had to last 2 years under these kids who were trying to make everyone like them, it was hell. The bullying got worse, and still no teachers intervened. There was another election held a year later, I ran again. And guess what, they won again so we all had endure another year of their torment. During senior year Jared’s (not his real name) little brother was a Freshmen, he must have kissed a boy or something cause he suddenly was being called gay and getting bullied. I think that was one of the things that made Jared start hanging out with us, I was never going to judge anyone but I was apprehensive at first. He turned out to be really nice. At the end of the year we became really close, then we graduated. We stay in touch as much as possible, he always gives me updates on the school that his brother still goes to. It turns out after all the ‘popular kids’ left, a new group of them sprung up, they still win the election every year, and Jared’s little brother runs against them as well. I just hope one day we will finally win.

Drown out the noise

In January this year, I decided to publish my first song. It didn’t take long for it to be noticed by the kids at school, and soon they started to make fun of me and my music. This really hurt because people created an Instagram page to make fun of me on, and also made comments about it all the time at school. It had eventually made me start having frequent emotional breakdowns and only worsened my depression that I already had. It eventually got the the point where the smallest things upset me, and eventually I had threatened to harm myself. After my parents talked to me, I decided to publish another song called No More Noise which talks about tuning out people who make fun of you. So please remember that if you need to talk to somebody, don’t wait. Go and find somebody ASAP. And also, if people make fun of you, just remember, haters are admirers in denial. So don’t let them get to you, drown out the noise.

From Invisible to Visible: A Journey of Healing and Empowerment

Growing up, I always thought childhood games like hide-and-seek were supposed to be filled with laughter and friendship. But there was one day that changed everything for me. I was left alone in a tiny closet, locked away while the rest of the group continued the game, completely forgetting I was even there. At first, I thought I had won, but as time passed, I realized I was invisible, forgotten by those I thought were my friends. That moment of being left in the dark became the metaphor for much of my childhood, where I felt unseen and unimportant.

The bullying I faced wasn’t loud or obvious—it was covert. For years, two of my “friends” wove a web of humiliation around me, making me feel like I didn’t matter, and this constant emotional assault chipped away at my sense of self-worth. Eventually, this pain manifested in panic attacks, a deep feeling of being trapped in my own life. It took me a long time to realize that I was not just the victim of these bullying incidents, I had been allowing myself to stay stuck in that role. That realization became the beginning of my journey to reclaim my power.

The path to healing wasn’t easy. For me, it started with creative expression. At the age of 11, I turned to the performing arts, particularly acting and dance, as a way to express what I couldn’t say with words. The stage became my sanctuary, where I could step out of my own pain and take up space in a way that was freeing. It was through dance that I learned to take up space and feel worthy of it, and through theater, I found a voice that had been silenced for so long.

As I grew older, I began to understand that my journey wasn’t just about healing my own wounds, it was about helping others find their voices too. By 13, I was taking on leading roles, from Mary Poppins to Joan of Arc, and these characters taught me not only to embody strength but also to have empathy for those who may have hurt me. I began to see the bigger picture: that bullies are often hurting too, and their actions are a reflection of their own pain.

Now, I use my voice to empower others, especially teens, to take a stand for themselves. My work is rooted in the belief that when we transform our hurt into creative pursuits, we not only heal ourselves but also become a beacon of light for others who may feel invisible. I encourage young people to find their outlet for self-expression, whether it’s through art, sports, or even just talking openly about their experiences. Our stories matter, they are powerful, and when we share them, we connect, heal, and change the narrative.

I once believed I was invisible. But now, I know my worth, and I’ve learned to shine. From that dark closet to the stage of my life, my mission is to show others that they too can move from invisible to visible, from fear to freedom. I stand here not just for myself, but for anyone who feels like they don’t matter, because you do. You always have.

Watch my full TEDx Talk, “Powerful Lessons from a Bullied Teen,” to hear more of my story and how creative expression helped me heal: https: //www.youtube.com / watch?v= e-ryQewOLrc

Bullied for being gay

I’m in middle school, and I got bullied for being gay. I am gay, but I tried to hide it. My brother, who became one of my bullies, shared this information with the school and my friends. My friends ended up abandoning me, and some bullies pinned me down and made me kiss a girl, beat me up, and sent me to the hospital with two fractured ribs and a broken tailbone. The teachers bullied too and called me gaybo gaybo mr fago so i coudn’t even talk to any trusted adults. I also got bullied for how big my lips were.

struggling to fit in

when i was 13 years old i was bullied for the way i looked and the way i do things. In my middle school i use to have a friend group but it went all wrong when the teasing and jokes turn into bullying. I was called fat by my so called friends and in middle school i was accused of a lot of things. I remember in 8th grade i was accused for something i didn’t do so i was punched on the cheek really where there was a bruise on my cheek. in high school the bullying continues people would post rumors about me on social media. Nobody wanna hear my side of the story i was alone and i couldn’t tell anyone about it. Then my 10th grade came it was the worse year of my life where i was put in a choke hold because i had my stuff stolen. Then I’m in 11th grade bullying is still happening i struggle to find friends i been made fun of it because of my disability. I wonder to my life will i ever fit in.

it gets better

When I was in Year 6,I was teased for being overweight, nerdy, sensitive and obnoxious. My stuff was stolen and damaged, and sometimes people left rotten stuff in my tote tray. Whenever someone was in a group with me, they’d throw a tantrum and I’d just stand there like ‘are u done yet?’. Then my friends left me and I really felt alone.
And they joined in too 🙁
But I learnt some stuff that really helped me get through those days.
1-Ifgnore what people say, what they think of you really doesn’t matter
2-Focus on YOU and don’t change for others
3-Eat well and sleep well
4-Do what makes you happy, not what makes someone else happy
5-Be grateful for everything, you don’t know when you’ll lose everything

Fortunately I’m in Year 7 now. I lost 10 kg and I’m happy with my weight. I have a small group of really kind, supportive friends. I’m in the smart kids class and am finally feeling intellectually challenged.
If I had one thing to say,it’s this: It does get better, and in reality, this is all a test.
Bye 😀

deaf but not dead

I’m 13 and have been the target of most kids anger and rage since i was four years old because i’m noticeably shorter and weaker. i grew up in a household where i never got the chance to talk about my situation at school and out of school. once elementary school ended, the bullying became more physical, more direct, and more cruel. from grade six to seven, i attended a private school where i was the student most mocked and humiliated in class. i had gotten two concussions in a month, maggots thrown at me, kicked, and things repeatedly thrown at me. the concussions resulted in me having significant hearing loss which i still struggle with today (deafness), i have trouble hearing and have pretty severe tinnitus. i’m in grade 8 now and at a public school where i still get beat up and bullied everyday, but i’m starting to now see that i have to tell someone in order for it to stop. i’m pushing myself to be brave and not listen to what people say about me negatively. and i’m still recovering from suicidal thoughts and behaviours, but there was a point where i thought it would never get better, and if you feel like that just know that it will. we’re still kids and young adults, it’ll get better. i never thought i’d make it out alive, but i did, and you can too. if you don’t feel loved, just know i love you even if i don’t know you. stay strong.