On a quiet Sunday morning, my daughter, now in sixth grade, sat at the breakfast table looking upset and distant. Even the delicious French toast—her favorite—didn’t seem to lift her spirits. Her phone, charging on the counter as per our agreed rules, buzzed and lit up repeatedly, hinting that something was amiss.
“What’s going on?” I asked, motioning toward her phone.
“Nothing,” she replied, avoiding eye contact, a clear indication that something was bothering her, yet she was reluctant to share. I chose not to press the issue. After finishing her meal, she grabbed her phone and exclaimed, “Ugh! Why do Mia and Jacob have to post photos of their hangouts every few minutes? It’s so frustrating! I get that they’re spending time together without me, but do they have to flaunt it?”
That’s a valid point. The answer is no, they don’t have to do that.
The transition through middle school has always been a challenging journey for kids. With the constant connectivity that smartphones provide, taking a break from social dynamics is more difficult than ever. According to Influence Central’s 2016 Digital Trends Study, by age 12, 50% of children already have social media accounts, and 64% have access to the internet through their own devices.
Negative interactions online can significantly impact how preteens view themselves and their peers. When children share images with select friends while excluding others, or fail to tag certain individuals, it can foster feelings of isolation among those left out. Given the myriad emotional, physical, and academic hurdles of middle school, the added weight of social exclusion can exacerbate their struggles.
This is the purpose of Call It Out Day, observed on April 28. This initiative, part of a series by Beyond Differences that includes programs like No One Eats Alone and Know Your Classmates, aims to empower middle school students to address social isolation in online spaces. The program offers resources on how to tackle digital gossip and exclusion, enabling young individuals to express their authentic selves online.
It sounds simple, but remember, we’re dealing with kids aged 11 to 14 who are just beginning to navigate their identities and peer relationships. The influence of peers is powerful during these formative years, and directives from adults can often fall flat. Beyond Differences understands these dynamics and crafts its programs to equip students with the skills needed to make positive online choices, while leaving the execution in their hands.
As I observed the students taking the #CallItOutDay pledge, I was genuinely moved. It takes immense courage for a young person to speak out against what seems to be a majority opinion, even if that majority remains largely anonymous. Reflecting on my own experience with bullying in middle school, I never confided in anyone—neither teachers nor my parents. Other students were aware of the situation but feared social repercussions for speaking up. Had there been a curriculum focused on anti-bullying or social isolation, perhaps my brief period of distress would have been alleviated sooner.
To date, over 400 schools have joined the #CallItOutDay initiative. You can check if your school is involved, and if not, it’s free to sign up. Parents can also engage with the campaign and review the resources available by registering. There are four lesson plans available to implement before Call It Out Day.
If April 28 is not feasible for your school, the curriculum can be integrated at any time. The objective is to teach our middle schoolers how to transform narratives from negative to positive, from exclusive to inclusive, and from unkind to kind. While not all students will become best friends, every child can learn to stand against inappropriate behavior when they witness it. Recognizing what constitutes such behavior, understanding its harmful effects, and learning how to counteract it are the core components of Call It Out Day.
For further details and to sign up, visit CallItOutDay.org.
This article was originally published on April 26, 2017.
Summary: Call It Out Day is a vital initiative aimed at empowering middle school students to confront online social isolation and bullying. Through programs offered by Beyond Differences, students learn to recognize and challenge negative behavior online, promoting a kinder and more inclusive environment. Schools can easily participate in this free program, helping to foster a positive culture among youth.
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