A Kid’s Nightmare
Robert is a typical teenager who enjoys watching movies and playing video games in his spare time. He is also studious, quiet, and a bit shy. One day, he decided to stop at a Burger King to enjoy a meal. He had no idea what a nightmare it would turn out to be.
A Kid’s Nightmare
Mean Teens
For apparently no reason at all, a group of teenagers noticed Robert’s presence at the Burger King. In fact, these teenagers had been harassing Robert for a few weeks already. He felt like anywhere he went, there they were, ready to torment him.
Mean Teens
Tough Kid
Even though these bullies weren’t letting up, Robert was a tough kid who did not let the jeering and name calling affect it. However, he did start to get nervous about the bullying taking a frightening turn, since these kids’ behavior was becoming more and more unpredictable.
Tough Kid
Being Approached
Robert was enjoying his meal on his own, eating his Whopper and fries. He was minding his own business when the three teenagers marched over towards him. He quickly realized that these were the same bullies who had been tormenting him.
Being Approached
Sitting Down
Everyone who was watching thought that these teenagers knew Robert and that they were friends. This is because the bullies confidently walked up to him and sat down at the table with him. However, behind their fake smiles were cruel intentions.
Sitting Down
No Escaping
One of the bullies walked up to Robert and said “hey kid.” Before Robert could respond, the other two teens completely cornered him. They sat all around him and started bothering him. There was not much Robert could do.
No Escaping
Protesting
He started protesting, “leave me alone!” but the other boys did not listen. One of them looked at Robert’s food, grabbed the drink, and poured it all over Robert’s burger and fries. However, the teens did not realize that they were being watched.
Protesting
Watching Eyes
One man was watching the whole situation unfold. The man was sitting at a nearby bench as he was enjoying his own meal. He watched the whole interaction between Robert and the three bullies.
Watching Eyes
Escalating
The taunting continued to escalate, and at a certain point, the man decided it was time to step in and stop the situation. Once he saw the boys ruin Robert’s food, he knew that it was time to act up.
Escalating
Intervening
As Robert was trying to fend up the bullies, the man stood up and marched right over to the group. The man realized that the teens pouring the drink over the food was a signal that the bullying could turn physical soon.
Intervening
Shocked
As the man approached the table, he said: “Gentlemen, what are you doing?” The teens were absolutely stunned that they were being approached by him. The leader of the group tried to shake him off, saying that they were just playing around.
Shocked
Didn’t Believe It
However, the man did not believe these claims. He asked the teenagers if they had a problem and asked them why they felt it was okay to pick on the boy. The bullies were at a total loss, with no idea how to answer the man.
Didn’t Believe It
Just Playing
The leader once again said that they were just playing around, but this time in a low voice. The teens all hung their heads low, looking extremely uncomfortable. The man’s presence was clearing having an impact on them.
Just Playing
Berate Them
The man continued to berate them, saying: “Don’t you think your parents would love to see what you’re doing? Do you think they would be proud?” The boys stayed silent and just listened to what he was saying.
Berate Them
Answering Sheepishly
The leader eventually answered the man and said: “no sir.” However, it wasn’t over. The man then turned to the boys who stayed silent throughout the whole ordeal. What was he going to do next?
Answering Sheepishly
Getting Grilled
The man asked the silent boys: “Why didn’t you stop your friend from picking on this boy?” The boys agreed that they did not want to continue and they were clearly embarrassed. After he was satisfied that he got his point across, he finally turned to Robert.
Getting Grilled
Offering Company
He asked Robert, “are you alright?” and asked him: “Why don’t you bring your lunch and we can go have a seat over there?” inviting him to join him at his table. Then the man asked the bullies to leave. However, the situation was not over quite yet.
Offering Company
One More Thing
The man had no idea what was going on when he decided to step in and defend Robert. The whole situation was actually staged, organized through Burger King and No Bully, an organization that aims to increase awareness about bullying.
One More Thing
Thought-Provoking
The goal of the experiment was to be thought provoking and show how people reacted to situations where someone was being bullied. However, that was not the only form of bullying going on that day.
Thought Provoking
Bullying the Burgers
In fact, that day Burger King employees were told to “bully” the burgers they were serving by smashing the burgers with their fists before wrapping them up and serving them to customers.
Bullying The Burgers
The Reactions
There were many responses to the video when it was released. A national conversation came up about bullying. How did people respond to their burgers being “bullied”?
The Reactions
Very Telling
Customers responded to the bullying that was taking place at the restaurant, as well as with the burgers that they were being served. Their responses were very telling and also heartbreaking.
Very Telling
The Results
Very few people intervened when Robert was being bullied. However, 95% of people spoke up about their smashed burgers. Only 12% of people in the experiment spoke up when Robert was bullied.
The Results
Hitting a Nerve
The video, called “Bullying Jr.”, was created in order to show people how unsuspecting diners would respond to a child being bullied in front of them. The video garnered over 8 million views, and truly hit a nerve.
Hitting A Nerve
A Heartwarming Moment
The experiment took place another two times. Although there were people who stepped in to help Robert, there was another moment that truly stood out. One woman decided to sit down next to Robert to show him support.
A Heartwarming Moment
A Great Idea
What the video showed was definitely something that was worth thinking about. Burger King did a good job of creating a conversation by releasing the campaign. However, a lot of parents are not sure how to address the problem of bullying. What can be done?
A Great Idea
Making a Difference
Although bullying is a huge problem at schools, many institutions are not doing enough or taking things seriously. A lot of parents report that teachers don’t take their concerns seriously when they report their kids being bullied.
Making A Difference
Learning
The campaign’s goal was to show adults, from parents to teachers to even random strangers, that they can make a huge difference. This social experiment shows that adults can truly help children who are being bullied.
Learning
What to Do
A lot of kids face bullying, even with all the awareness campaigns that are in place. This is why parents should be armed with knowledge about how to approach the situation. Parents should listen and try not to let their anger get in the way.
What To Do
Listening
It is critical as a parents to put your feelings aside and listen to your child’s concerns. This way, you can give them the exact support they need. You should never encourage your child to shout back or respond with violence, since this will make the situation worse.
Listening
Adding
If your child doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the situation, encouraging a violent response can only increase anxiety your child is experiencing. You should instead try to work together with the teacher and make it clear you’re trying to find a solution with the school.
Adding
Supporting
Ask your child how they prefer you support them in this situation and what they prefer you do while taking things forward. This way, they feel included in solving the problem even if they are too afraid to directly confront their bully.
Supporting
Not Their Fault
Emphasize to your child that this is not their fault. Teach them that most bullies are acting out of their own insecurities and that they’re the one with the issues.
Not Their Fault
Encouragement
Teach your child to build resilience. They can learn that body language and tone of voice can speak volumes when it comes to standing up to bullies. These bullies are often looking for a reaction, and so it is important to try to not give them that reaction.
Encouragement
Stopping It
If the bully realized that they can’t get a reaction out of their victim, it is likely that they will move on. This is why it’s important to build a child’s resilience. You can even role play different situations so that your child can practice responses.
Stopping It
Sending Messages
You can teach your child that their body, voice, and facial expressions send signals to others. In a lot of situations, these actions can be even more powerful than words. You should let them know that the bully should not be dominating their lives.
Sending Messages
Avoid
Try to avoid charging of in a fit of rage to come at the bully’s parents or the teacher. Usually, most kids do not want this kind of attention brought to the situation, which can actually make things worse.
Avoid
Their Experience
Make sure you are not dismissing your child’s experience, which can be quite damaging. When you don’t feel like your feelings are seen as valid, you can feel like the whole world is against you.
Their Experience
Dealing
Although you might be feeling guilty, helpless, angry, and hurt about what’s happening to your child, you need to deal with your own feelings and not let them cloud your judgment. Don’t get offended if your child wants to speak with other adults about the situation.
Dealing
Getting Support
Many schools are required to have an anti-bullying policy which tells you what the school is obligated to do and how they offer support in these situations. Gather all the necessary evidence before approaching the school for help.
Getting Support