Tackling Diabetes Bullying, UK

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 19 Nov 2009 - 2:00 PST

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From 16 to 20 November it is National Anti-Bullying Week, a campaign run by the Anti-Bullying Alliance to raise awareness of bullying and to send the clear message that it is neither acceptable nor inevitable.

The theme this year is 'Stay safe in cyberspace', as a recent survey found that more than a third of 12- to 15-year-olds have faced some form of cyberbullying (the use of information technology such as mobile phones and the internet to upset and hurt people).

Setting the record straight

Diabetes UK supports Anti-Bullying Week, and this summer we released a viral video called 'Setting the record straight' about Type 1 diabetes. The two-minute film aims to dispel common myths about Type 1 diabetes and stop young people with the condition from experiencing bullying based on ignorance and misconceptions.

Important issue

"Bullying can be really traumatic so it is an important issue for us to tackle," said Amanda Neylon, Digital Media Manager for Diabetes UK.

Cyberbullying

"The teenage bullies in our film record their bullying on a mobile phone - something that is reportedly a big problem at the moment.

Video based on young people's own comments

"Since its release in June, 'Setting the record straight' has been viewed more than 65,000 times and has received very positive feedback from young viewers with Type 1 diabetes. We believe the video has been so popular because it is entirely based on comments left by young people on our social networking sites - so they identify with what they're watching.

Help us beat bullying

"Help us beat bullying by watching the video and passing it on to your friends and family today."

Source
Diabetes UK