"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me" is an English-language children's rhyme that was created in Britain before 1872. It was meant to persuade the child victim to ignore the name-calling, to refrain from physical retaliation, and to remain calm and good-natured.

Amanda Todd, 15, of Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, killed herself on Wednesday, October 10, 2012, after posting a heartbreaking video on YouTube that told her story of being bullied by her classmates.

Cyber-bullying has become the latest outrage of words that are being used to lash out, broadcast on the Internet, against people who are unable to defend themselves. Cyber-bullying includes mean text messages or e-mails, rumours sent by e-mail or posted on social networking sites, and embarrassing pictures, videos, websites, or fake profiles. This use of technology to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person has become an epidemic.

Bullies and meanies have always been around, but technology has given them a whole new platform for their actions. As adults, we are becoming aware and seeing that the "sticks and stones" saying no longer holds true. We are seeing that both real-world and online name-calling can have serious emotional consequences for our kids and teens.

Mark 12:29-31 – Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." (NASB)

Many schools, workplaces, and organizations have taken a stand against bullying. Although the movement has been primarily North American-based, with television ads about standing up against bullying, it's quickly spreading across the globe and is expected to continue gaining momentum.

Today, if we see someone being bullied, let us take a stand and intervene against this ever-increasing epidemic of bullying, whether it be via the Internet, at school, or in our workplaces.

Isaiah 1:17 – Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (NIV 2011)

Prayer: God of justice and truth, grant us the strength and wisdom to stand up against the injustice that is so prevalent in our society today. We thank You for government, organizations, and individuals who have already started this process to stop bullying. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Hagedorn <rosyhagedorn@gmail.com>
Penetanguishene, Ontario, Canada
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