CBS News/ March 29, 2011, 12:56 PM

Bullied teen, Alye Pollack, quietly fights back

(CBS) Without saying a word, 13-year-old Alye Pollack is making a big statement. Recently, the 8th grader posted a haunting YouTube video urging bullies to think about the impact of hurtful words.

Special section: Eye on Parenting
Pictures: Victims of bullying

In the video, Pollack - who holds up signs telling her story as music plays - says she's been bullied for years and says thinking before speaking can save lives.

Her mother Audra Pollack recently spoke to the Connecticut newspaper WestportNow, saying, "I'm very proud of her. Some of it was for dramatic effect, but it was valid."

According to the paper, the video has received notice as far away as Texas, Italy and Australia. The video currently has more than 12,000 views and nearly 400 comments.

Among those comments, one parent wrote, "Alye, I know it's hard, hang in there. I'm happy you spoke out. I work in a high school and yes bullying is a real problem. My son also gets bullied. I know your video will help a lot of others to speak up about this. In the morning, I will be showing it to him. He is in high school."

As for Alye, her mother says they're trying to figure out what to do next.

Her school has been notified of the bullying. The Bedford Middle School principal has said the 8th graders have recently met with school officials and been reminded of internet safety and the consequences of cyber-bullying. The school urges parents to have discussions with their kids about cyber-bullying.

Since the video was posted, Audra said her daughter has been cyber-bullied. Audra told the local paper Alye's school can only do so much, particularly because a lot of the bullying happens after school - particularly online.

Audra said, "The same parents who keep saying. 'It's not my kid,' should watch what's being posted."

What do you think of Ayle's video? Let us know in the comments below.

19 Comments Add a Comment

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CaChan13 says:: I agree with her??, sticks and stones will not hurt as much as words. I am Brazilian and my school is the same thing since the first year of high school, I hardly have friends because they act with indifference and anything I talk they start laughing and I blame the teachers here so unfortunately do not have tutoring in order to stay when something bad happens. Alye Thanks for showing that it's not just physical injuries that bullying happens.
Sorry for the mistakes, I'm not fluent in English.; reply

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md2205 says:: There is a website: bullies2buddies.com. It is a must! It teaches you how to answer the bullies in a way that the bullies will stop bullying and will even become your friend. I know because I tried it with my 9 year old daughter and it worked quickly. It only took a day or so to work. It teaches you what to say, and if you can't learn it from the website, the social worker who made the website will do phone consultations with you until you do get it. It is fun to learn and easy. The phone consults are not expensive. I urge all to try it as there is nothing to lose and everything to gain. It changes you to a happy, confident person who is socially savvy and people want to be with people like that.; reply

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sarah22cunn says:

Alye, When I was your age I was bullied constantly by the boys in my neighborhood. They would call me names all the time and someties even throw things at me. I have had stones thrown at me, fruit from the nieghborhood trees thrown at me. Since I was bullied so bad I though it was nothing yet each day I would go home and cry about everything. I cant tell you if High School will be different, because we moved into a bigger house that summer. I can tell you one thing though. Life gets a whole lot better. You just have to keep smiling, and dont stop. Alye, Im 23 years old now and I have a gorgous 2 month old baby boy. Do not let the bullys get the best of you. There are brighter days in your future and dont you ever think different!

Sarah


sarah22cunn replies:: linkicon reporticon emailicon; To the Early Show, years after years I was bullied by these nieghborhood boys. Not only did I endure the mental abuse I endured physical abuse from these boys. Rocks were thrown at me walking home from school. As well as acorns and fruit coming off of the trees. I was called every name in the book every single day. I tried so hard to not let them get the best of me, but one day I snapped. That day after throwing my tea on them i went home and balled my eyes out. I moved the summer before high school. Years later I went to my old schools graduation and saw one of the boys who bullied me and he made a remark about my weight. I thanked god up and down that my family decided to move because who knows what would have happened if we hadnt.

I wish someone would have stood up for me. Now that I have a son I dont want him to go through what I did. This girl Alye is so brave in starting a revolution against bullies. I want to say to Alye if your reading this THANK YOU! You are the start of a better future for generations to come! I hope you well and always ALWAYS keep your head up. You have a beautiful heart which I hope will find peace!

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bologna60 says:: Alye, It's time to take a stand. Don't let ANYONE bully you! Your a beautiful human being, one of Gods creations! Come out of that corner fighting! That's the only thing to do when you get backed into a corner, come out swinging! Those bullies are miserable and MISERY LOVES COMPANY so,.. don't let them make you miserable, it only makes them feel less miserable about themselves! REMEMBER, keep your friends close,... keep your enemies CLOSER! You said you had 3? 4? friends well,.. you know the old saying,... You can count your true friends on one hand! And that's all you need, your true friends!! Don't take anymore from those bullies!! If you don't make a stand they will continue their obnoxious treatment because they think they can!! MAKE THAT STAND!; reply

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lagoratus says:: First of all Alye I want to thank you for being so brave. I'm an advocate for kids with special needs who are even more likely to be bullied. In NJ, we just passed an antibullying law on school responsibility that includes cyberbullying. In the meantime, folks can find anti-bullying resources (for students, families, and professionals) at www.stopbullying.gov.; reply

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Coastiemom2005 says:: Alye, you are very courageous. I am 50 years old and can still feel the sting of bullying as a youth. I was bullied at school from the 7th grade through high school. That was just part of the story. MY bullying started at home with my mother. She was my biggest bully ever. With 3 other siblings, I was the one she targeted 24/7. When the bullying started at school in the 7th grade I certainly couldn't tell my mother, but a well meaning bystander(friend) who witnessed this every day, told her mother. Her mother in turn called my mother. I was automatically in trouble for "letting" this happen to me and my mother called a teacher, who in turn called in the "bullies" for a "talking to".. WOW, when you cut off 1 head...7 grow back. The bullying became school wide and I was the target of EVERYONE, even at church! I would pray every night NOT to wake up in the morning.
I am so proud of you for standing up for yourself and assume you have support at home. That is the key. I wore that target on my back for 35 years and had 2 tragic failed marriages where I was bullied and berated.
Now I am married to an amazing man who has never done anything but love me for me.
Bullying doesn't stop in school. It can follow you throughout your life if you don't find a way to deal with it. My Mom has since passed away and I must say, I'm sad she is gone but am somewhat relieved that my life is finally MINE!
You go girl. Do what it takes to bring justice to a crime that seems to have no answers!!!; reply

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samXXkiley says:: coucou,
tu es courageuse Aly?, ton geste encouragera d'autres victimes ? "parler", il faut d?noncer ces agissements "d?lits"
l'impact de l'intimidation et du harc?lement, est destructif,
Aly? tu dois en parler, rompre le silence, ne reste pas renferm?e sur toi m?me, tu vas souffrir,
dans ce cas le silence n'est pas la solution

.............
you are brave Alyea, your gesture will encourage other victims to "speak", he must denounce such acts "crimes"
the impact of bullying and harassment is destructive,
Alyea you ought to speak, breaking the silence, do not stay shut on yourself, you will suffer,
in this case silence is not the solution
the harassment is everywhere, in schools, on the net etc. ..
we must denounce
" au revoir"; reply

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metma says:: Schools are not going to do anything about bullying unless there is someone that holds them accountable every day for thier actions twords bullying. There are too many school districts that say what they are suppose to to the public and say what they want in private to the bullied child and parent.; reply

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Betty_Lou says:: Since our technology has advanced, bullying has been made out to be something of monstrous atrocity. Fact is bullying has been around since the dawn of time. The only way to beat a bully is to succeed in life. Unfortunately bullying does not stop after high school or even college, it is found on the streets, in your jobs, social groups, the media...actually everywhere. Bully's begin at home...bully's can only be stopped at home...teaching compassion to our children, learning compassion by many adults will end bullying. I am 53, I was a victim of bullying, I never fit in the numerous clicks, several of us were always considered from the wrong side of the tracks. However, I have filled my life with wondrous adventures, am considered by all who have met me to be an angel, a great friend, an amazing wise person. Be a success in life...that is how you stop bullying. Sticks and stones may break your bones...but words will never hurt you. Our greatest actors/actresses were bullied...it makes you a better and stronger person.; reply

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Noel711 says:: Yet another story about the issue of children/teens bullying one another.
But what do you do with it?

Bullying was and is a fact of life in our culture. I was bullied when I was a child and a teen. My daughter was also. I've seen it in schools where I taught, and I see it as a constant in our community; little is done about because it is so deeply entrenched in the American way of life. Most families have a story, but there is little recourse to change it on a small level because it is saturated in our culture of "Me first!" America is a nation saturated with individualism and winning at all costs.

CBS, you should have explored this social phenomena more deeply.
It isn't only a problem with children/teens, its an epidemic in our society. Our children simply reflect what they see and hear at home, at school and in the greater culture.

Children see and hear their mothers bullied by their husbands.
Children hear pastors and ministers bully those who don't live according to their standards, ministers of the 'gospel' who promote racism, sexism and homophobia.

Children see and hear personalities on the television and radio who mock the weak, who make fun of those who are different, who use foul language as a way to promote their own pathetic 'entertainment.' No wonder children think that this kind of behavior is acceptable among themselves. No one calls out those loud voices in the media who abuse others.

We live in a time that promotes bullies: we call them 'strong leaders' and give them high salaries (look at the Wall STreet bullies to enrich themselves while the rest of the people languish).

We call them leaders, and elect them to higher office, and stand back and allow them to legislate to strip basic rights of workers and reward the donors to their campaigns.

We call them 'strong leaders' who pass legislation that offers major tax breaks for multi-million dollar corporations, and thoughtlessly cut social programs for the poor, and school programs for our youth.

We call them entertainers, political commentators and pay them high salaries, and give them public forums to spew their hatred and prejudice which gets spread into many homes and schools, and yet we are surprised when our young people take up their causes of hatred, bigotry and bullying. It doesn't take too much effort to see and hear the poison that passes for journalism.

CBS, you have the means to be honest about the foundations of what is tearing apart the lives of thousands of children. Stop giving public air time to bullies like Donald Trump, and open the doors to how we can begin to heal the hearts and lives broken by bullies. We need more voices of compassion and mercy, more true leaders who hold up the values by which we should live, not the lack of values that attempts to take control of our world.; reply