By Tara Arnold

Just ask 14-year-old Olivia Gardner of the San Francisco-area. She’s switched schools three times in the past two years because of constant bullying. It all started when Olivia, who is epileptic, had a seizure in sixth grade and several classmates called her “retard” and dragged her backpack through the mud. It escalated with a website called “Olivia Haters” and kids wearing plastic bracelets declaring their hatred for her.

I read about Olivia in an article on the San Francisco Chronicle’s website (www.SFGATE.com) and my heart sank. She’s certainly not alone. Nationwide, more than 4 in 10 teens have been victims of taunts and threats through social networking sites like MySpace and Facebook, plus text messaging……There are so many new outlets for teasing that go beyond school hallways.

But, then again…it was because of the internet that Emily and Sarah Buder of Mill Valley, California stepped into the picture. They heard about Olivia’s ordeal and started a letter writing campaign to support her. Before long, Olivia had thousands of emails and letters from people around the world reminding her she’s not alone and they too had survived constant bullying.

“Dear Olivia, I think you are very brave…”

“Dear Olivia, Don’t let the bullies get inside your head…”

“Dear Olivia, It goes to show that for every bully that puts us down, there are a hundred loving people to pick us up…”

In the article, Olivia’s mom talks about how her daughter has been in deep depression. She hardly ever left home during the past year (finally had to be home schooled) and rarely looks up when she speaks. Doesn’t that just break your heart? She’s 14 years old!

First of all, bullies don’t just make up this behavior out of the blue. It starts somewhere and I place that blame at home. Are parents truly allowing this behavior? Setting up websites to proclaim hatred for a child? Aren’t parents monitoring what their kids do online and at school? Kids aren’t automatically full of hate. They pick that up from those around them.

Secondly, the schools need to offer up more resources to help deal with bullying. In the ‘old days’ we used to think of bullies as big, mean kids who would shove kids into the locker. Now, it’s more social isolation and ridicule. In many ways, that makes it harder to detect. But, everyone needs to be aware IT IS GOING ON OUT THERE. This starts with the Principal who needs to promote an environment where kids are free to speak up about their concerns (maybe a fellow student is being picked on) and trust they’ll be taken seriously.

For parents who have kids that are the target of bullies…SPEAK UP. If the teacher isn’t addressing the problem, take it to the Principal and keep going from there. Constant taunting will eat away at your kids. They need someone to stick up for them! They deserve that.

So that brings us around again to the incredible sisters who reached out to Olivia and started the letter writing campaign. It’s something so simple that has made a huge impact on a girl who didn’t feel she had anywhere else to turn. It started with one message: You are not alone. It’s something YOU can do, too. If you see or hear of someone getting picked on… step in. Be their friend. All it takes is one person to make a difference.

Tara Arnold has 11 years of TV experience. She has worked as an Anchor, Reporter and Producer in several different markets including Green Bay, WI and Madison, WI. She is currently the News Director for WTDY (1670 AM) and a Morning Co-Host on WJJO (94.1 FM).