There's an App for that!

Believe it or not someone came up with an app that let's kids report bullying anonymously. YES! Now we can finally say there's an app for everything! Here is the article all about it.

The purpose behind this app, Stop!t is a great one and I can only hope schools across the country will see this as a valuable tool that will help kids growing in a more stable and healthy school environment. Telling someone is half the battle of getting these bullies to stop. The way the internet is progressing and technology booming, if we don't take measures to put an end to this, we will have more kids living in turmoil.

I love the fact that the founder, Todd Schobel, is already thinking about expanding upon his original idea and offering the same concept to the military and workplaces. This is definitely an app everyone should have! Can't wait to see this in action. I seriously hope that administrators and schools will take this app seriously and provide the funds so that they can experience kids' having a great time at school instead of dreading it.

Back in highschool, I still remember not wanting to go to school because I knew the people I had to face. There was always going to be a new name to call me or make fun of me for. I couldn't escape it. If I had the Stop!t App, I might have been able to record what these kids were doing. If cyberbullying were apart of my world growing up, I honestly have no idea how I'd stand it. At least when I went home, I was safe. Nowadays, no one is safe because we have social media everywhere. This app will definitely change things.

--Ruth Jackson

A Belated Valentine's

In light of Valentine's Day, I thought I would write a post specifically about love. This day isn't just about a boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife it's about showing love to those you care about as well as those who are around you. I can show love towards my co-workers, my family, my friends AND my boyfriend. 

Bullies don't show love, instead they show contempt, hatred, jealousy and/or rage. They don't care about someone else's feelings. All they want is to make themselves look and feel good. If they have to break some bones or step on people to get there, that's what they will do. We should be the complete opposite. As part of being "nobul" we want to help others be comfortable being themselves, lift them up and include them. It doesn't matter what background they have or what language they speak; each person is unique. If the whole world was like me, life would be boring. Think about it. 

Here's a challenge for you all. Take a look around your neighborhood or place of work. Is there anyone you don't know that well? Anyone that you've deemed "strange" because you simply don't understand them? Why not get to know them. Start with sharing some cookies you've made and ask them personally "Do you like them?" Or maybe just complimenting them on a shirt or tie. Sometimes the simplest gesture can mean the world to someone. 

Be Nobul

--Ruth Jackson

Safe Schools Improvement Act

Today as I was figuring out what the next blog post should be about, I came across this article. This is relatively new and I hadn't yet heard about it in the news. I feel like I should be all for this new bill, but I am having concerns. Maybe you all can think for yourselves for a minute, would this improve things or make things worse? What would you change to make schools a better place?

In a nutshell, this Safe Schools Improvement Act basically forces educational leaders (who receive money from the government like public schools) to come up with a plan to help stop current and future bullying problems. On the one hand I agree with Senator Mark Kirk who talked about every child needing a safe place to learn. The other side of this issue is the fact that this will be "forced" upon these people who are already overworked and underpaid. Granted, integration was forced on the people of Little Rock, AK and look where we are now. Sometimes ideas need to be forced, but it's going to be a long hard road.

In my opinion, the idea is spot in that we desperately need a law in place that protects kids from being beaten up because of race, sex etc. To go even further, if/when this bill is passed, together we need to continue helping others see the negative consequences of bullying. So many schools have the tendency to ignore the problems their students face in fear of negative publicity or maybe just plain shame. It's time to take action and to let the principals and teachers of these schools know that they can and SHOULD do something to help.

I like how Ellen Khan describes the intent of this Act, "puts more teeth in taking action." This world definitely needs it. I can't wait to read more in the upcoming months on how this bill progress and if there will be additions or modifications to make this change easier.

What do you think about it all? Would you have suggestions for Congress? This very well be the much needed next step to encouraging our youth in the right direction.

--Ruth Jackson