Did you know that nearly 1 in 3 students are involved in bullying? Did you know that while school violence as a whole is declining, bullying behaviors have increased by 5%? Did you know that kids who are obese, gay or have disabilities are up to 63% more likely to be bullied than other children? Did you know that last month alone, there were multiple suicide deaths as a result of bullying? These startling facts are the reason that Ellen DeGeneres and Greyson Chance have taken a stand against bullying and are speaking out against it.

Bullying is an epidemic that affects kids from grade school all the way through college. Eighteen-year-old Tyler Clementi committed suicide last week after two other university freshmen illegally recorded him in a sexual encounter with another man and broadcast-ed it over the internet. Tyler’s case is a prime example of Cyberbullying, the 21st century, high-tech way used to torment others.

So what is Cyberbullying? According to Wikipedia, “Cyberbullying involves the use of information and communication technologies to support deliberate, repeated, and hostile behavior by an individual or group that is intended to harm others.”  Whether it is the continued harassment of someone on a social networking site such as Facebook or MySpace or an act of causing emotional harm to someone such as in Tyler Clementi’s case, Cyberbullying and bullying at any age is NOT okay.

This week TV Talk show host and founder of ElevenEleven records, Ellen DeGeneres spoke out against teenage bullying. Ellen publicly broadcast-ed a message which was shown on television and her website. Ellen urged us to take a stand against bullying and wants anyone who feels there alone to know that there is help out there.

Greyson Chance followed in the footsteps of his friend Ellen yesterday when he posted a message to his Twitter account (@GreysonChance) asking teens to stop the bullying, stand up for what’s right and make a difference.

Greyson Chance: This breaks my heart. We must stop bullying in our lives… Teens, I know. Gossip is a thing that is almost a necessity in Middle School. But we have to stop. Human lives are being taken away because of this bullying. Think about what you say before you say it. We know that it never feels good when we get talked about…so why do we do it to other people? This is something that we have to stop for the safety of the kids around the world. This is a cry for help…please stop bullying.

Greyson Chance is much more than just about the music. Greyson is on a mission to make a real difference in the world and is using his new-found stardom to accomplish this. If you haven’t checked out Greyson Chance’s performance at We Day 2010, be sure to do so. This event celebrated the power of young people as they create positive change in the world. This is just another prime example of Greyson’s determination to make a difference and use his fame for good!

Way to go Greyson! You rock and rock on!

The Trevor Project at 866 4U TREVOR. It’s a 24-hour, national help line for gay and questioning teens. You can learn more about The Trevor Project at their website: thetrevorproject.org.

Angels and Doves is a nationwide anti-bullying non profit organization.
Their website is AngelsandDoves.com

The National Center for Bullying Prevention is helping to promote awareness
and teach effective ways to respond to bullying. You can learn more about
them at their website: Pacer.org/bullying

The Matthew Shepard Foundation runs Matthew’s Place, an online community and resource center for LGBTQ youth. The website is matthewsplace.com

GLSEN is also a great organization that is working to eradicate bullying and
bias in schools. Their website is: glsen.org

STOMP Out Bullying is focused on reducing bullying and cyberbullying. Find out more on their website: stompoutbullying.org