It was a typical Sunday when my sixth-grade daughter, Emma, sat at the breakfast table looking disheartened. Even her favorite sweet French toast couldn’t lift her spirits. Her phone, charging on the counter as per our agreed phone rules, buzzed incessantly, signaling that something was amiss.
“What’s going on?” I inquired, pointing towards the phone.
“Nothing,” she replied, avoiding eye contact. This response, of course, suggested there was something she didn’t want to discuss, so I decided to let it go. After finishing her meal, she picked up her phone and exclaimed, “Why do Mia and Jake have to post every moment of their day? It’s so frustrating! I know they’re hanging out without me again, but do they have to flaunt it?”
Good question, and the answer is a resounding no, they don’t.
Navigating the complex social environment of middle school has always been challenging. With smartphones and constant connectivity, taking a break from social interactions is harder than ever. According to a 2016 Digital Trends Study by Influence Central, 50% of kids have social media accounts by the age of 12, and 64% have internet access through their own devices.
Negative online interactions can significantly affect how tweens perceive themselves and others. When kids post pictures with a select few friends, overlook tagging others, or consistently exclude certain peers from group chats, it can lead to feelings of isolation. Middle school is a tumultuous time filled with emotional, physical, and academic challenges; adding social exclusion only compounds these difficulties.
This is why April 28 marks Call It Out Day. This initiative from Beyond Differences builds on prior programs like No One Eats Alone and Know Your Classmates. Call It Out Day is a free event in schools aimed at empowering middle school students to speak out against social isolation they witness online. The curriculum provides tools to combat digital gossip and exclusion, encouraging tweens and teens to express their authentic selves online.
While the concept seems simple, we must remember that we are dealing with kids aged 11 to 14 who are just beginning to discover their identities. Peer pressure is intense during these formative years, and directives from adults often fall flat. Beyond Differences understands this reality. The brilliance of this initiative lies in its ability to equip students with the skills to make positive, compassionate choices online—ultimately placing that power in their hands.
As I observed kids taking the #CallItOutDay pledge, I felt a surge of admiration. It requires immense bravery for a tween to publicly challenge a perceived majority, even if that majority remains largely anonymous. I remember being bullied in middle school and never confiding in anyone—neither teachers nor parents. Others were aware of my struggles but feared social isolation themselves, so they remained silent. If an anti-bullying or social inclusion program had been available back then, perhaps my experience would have been different.
To date, over 400 schools have committed to participating in the #CallItOutDay campaign. Check if your school is involved, and if not, consider signing up—it’s free. Parents can also engage with the initiative and review the curriculum by registering. There are four lesson plans available to prepare for Call It Out Day.
If April 28 doesn’t align with your school’s schedule, the curriculum can be integrated at any time. The aim is for middle schoolers to learn to transform negativity into positivity, exclusiveness into inclusivity, and cruelty into kindness. While not every student will become best friends with one another, all can take a stand against harmful behavior when they see it. Understanding the impact of such behavior and how to change it is the essence of Call It Out Day.
For more information and to enroll, visit CallItOutDay.org.
This article originally published on April 26, 2017.