Mean Girls Bullied Demi Lovato

Mean Girls Bullied Demi Lovato

Monday, September 29, 2008

filed under: tween & teen logic

Here's how to make sure your kids don't share the same fate.

Teen queen Demi Lovato seems to have it all: A starring role next to Joe Jonas in "Camp Rock," an upcoming Disney TV show ("Sonny With a Chance"), a hit CD, and a million-dollar smile. But she told Entertainment Weekly that life was anything but perfect back in school in Texas. ''I asked to leave public school,'' she says. ''I was kind of bullied. I had a hate wall in the bathroom, and everyone signed a petition that said 'We all hate Demi Lovato.'''

If someone as seemingly perfect as Demi Lovato can be bullied, what hope do our kids have? Momlogic asked Ross Ellis, founder and chief executive officer of Love Our Children USA, the national nonprofit leader on child violence prevention, for tips on protecting our children.

Kindness starts at home: "The reality is, any kid can become a bully or be victimized themselves, so it's crucial to take preventative measures now," says Ellis. "Bullying is a learned behavior. So when kids see you criticize others ("Can you believe what Jill was wearing?"), they mimic your actions out in the world. What's more, insecurity usually triggers a bully's behavior. So raising confident and empathetic children will have a two-fold effect: Not only will your kids have positive self-esteem, but they'll be more likely to stand up for other kids who are being harassed."

Develop a buddy system: "It's a fact that bullies rarely strike groups -- they just don't have the guts," says Ellis. "If your child is being harassed, make sure he or she walks around school with a friend, or is within earshot of a teacher." If someone does start bullying your kid, have them look the bully in the eye and say, "I don't like your teasing. Stop it right now." Then they should walk away and report the incident. If the bully pushes, teach your kid not to hit back. "Bullies want a reaction, so if the victim reciprocates, the problem will worsen," says Ross.

Take action: "As tempting as it is to sit down with the troublemaker's parents, don't," says Ellis. "Most parents are defensive toward criticism of their child or are in denial there's even a problem." A better idea: Go to the school directly, and record every incident of harassment. Then ask your school to develop an anti-bullying program and form a watchdog group with other parents. "The sad truth is most prevention lies with parents, because most schools just don't take bullying seriously enough."

Is your child being bullied? Click here for The Bullying Prevention School of Rights.

52 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

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Posted 12/27/08 03:22 PM

DAMN… DEMI LOVATO IS VERY BEAUTIFUL I WISH I DATED HER.

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Posted 01/08/09 02:19 AM

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Posted 01/12/09 10:39 AM

Do not feel sorry for Demi Lovato until you have all the facts. Usually, there is one person or a small group of people who will gang up on someone that they feel they can dominate. That is how bullying works. Trust me, I was bullied in this way when i was in school. Demi’s situation is very different. She has an entire school bullying her… why is this? This type of bullying is not done as a means to dominate. Perhaps she was the aggressor and it backfired. There is an old saying which is, “If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen.” Who is to say that she didn’t dish it out just as much as she received it? I don’t know, I am just speculating here, but I refuse to pass out sympathy when the entire story isn’t clear.

- Brian

Posted 01/23/09 11:42 PM

i felt sorry for u. i wanna kick that girl and make her feeling that she wants to apologize to u,demi. i think she is the ugliest in the world and the bad one in my feelings. don’t worry about watz r people gonna say.they were all rubbish.

- demi femi fans

Posted 01/28/09 08:08 AM

demi, the girl who bullied is sure the ugliest girl in the world.i feel like kicking them and throw them in a dustbin.you have voice but they don’t have that. they can be very awful if they try to bullied you again. i think u r the prettiest gurlz i ever seen.demi, the one who bullied is very-very a jerk. they seems want to be better than u cuz they jealous of your talent and prettinest.but anyway,love you Demi Lovato.keep on rockin’

- asia girlz

Posted 01/29/09 12:23 AM

Well, irl she’s kinda ditzy, but whether that was the case or not, there’s no excuse to make fun of someone.

- Anon.

Posted 01/30/09 06:34 AM

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Posted 02/05/09 08:04 AM

Demi I hope u keep livin ur rockin life! This gurl kaylee made a lie about my cousin likin my boyfriend and told my cousin I told her that! So now I’m known as a lier and that has continued from 7th grade to 12th now I have slot of friends since kaylee was in a car acendent and I helped her she lost her mind cus now she’s like all nice I’m about to graduate from collage and I’m engagded to my 7th grade boyfriend! Never stop beleiving in your self and it will get you very far! Meredith

- Meredith

Posted 03/26/09 04:34 PM

Oh God I feel so sorry for victims of bullying. Demi was very lucky to have been homeschooled, instead of having to stay there. I have been bullied EVERY single school year I have been in school. I am going to 12 grade, and I know it’s going to be a hellish year. Bulling can DESTROY you! Look at me, I am battling with low self-esteem and I was suicidal. I am a girl, but I get bullied by boys and a few girls.

- Brittney

Posted 08/14/09 02:59 PM

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