We focused on the hot topic of 'bullying' again last night on our live-stream Internet show, 'Live From the Newsroom.'
We had originally expected to be joined by the father of Bailey O'Neill, the Darby Township teen whose family believes he was the victim of bullying. Bailey was involved in a playground altercation on the playground at Darby Township Elementary School. About a week later, he started having serious medical issues. His family made the heart-wrenching decision to remove him from life support on the day after his 12th birthday.
What isn't yet known is whether this in fact was a case of bullying and if the fight is connected to his death. The Delaware County District Attorney's office continues to investigate and awaits autopsy results.
Bailey's dad changed his mind about joining the show on the advice of his attorney. Another relative also was unable to make it.
But we were joined by Dr. Claudio Cerullo, the president and founder of the non-profit Teach Antibullying Inc.
Cerullo clearly agrees with the family's assessment of Bailey being bullied, and says he has talked to students who confirm that was the case.
He offered some startling statistics when it comes to the percentages of kids who report being bullied, in particular kids who are dealing with conditions such as autism or Asperger's.
When I asked him what makes what is happening now different from what kids have always done, he pointed out the increasing role that social media and technology holds in fueling the problem. Now kids aren't just physically bullied, but they're also targeted on social media. There is no esacape, you can't avoid this kind of bullying.
The results, and the biggest difference Cerullo warns of, is deadly. Kids are killing themselves at dramatically higher numbers than they did in years past.
If you missed the show, you can watch the replay here.
This is a story that is not going to go away anytime soon.
Our thanks to Dr. Cerullo for joining us and shedding more light on a very serious situation.
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