It was a quiet Sunday morning when my sixth-grade daughter, Mia, appeared unusually downcast. Even her favorite breakfast—sweet French toast—couldn’t lift her spirits. Her phone lay charging on the counter, buzzing and lighting up, clearly indicating something was happening that she didn’t want to discuss.
“What’s going on?” I asked, glancing at the phone.
“Nothing,” she replied, avoiding eye contact. This was her way of signaling that something was indeed bothering her. I decided to let it slide for the moment. After finishing her meal, she reached for her phone.
“Ugh! Why do Emma and Noah have to post updates about their hangouts every two seconds? It’s so irritating! I know they’re together without me, but do they have to rub it in?”
That’s an important question, and the answer is simply: No, they don’t need to.
Navigating the complex social environment of middle school has always been a challenging experience. Today, with smartphones keeping kids constantly connected, it’s even harder to take a break from social pressures. According to a 2016 Digital Trends Study by Influence Central, by age 12, 50% of kids already have social media accounts, and 64% have internet access through their own devices.
Negative interactions online can significantly impact how tweens feel about themselves and their peers. When kids post pictures with just a couple of friends, “forget” to tag others, or consistently exclude certain classmates from group chats, it creates feelings of isolation. Middle school is tough enough with its emotional and academic challenges, and adding social exclusion into the mix only amplifies the difficulties.
That’s why April 28 is designated as Call It Out Day. This initiative, part of the Positive Prevention series by Beyond Differences, aims to empower middle school students to address social isolation online. The program provides strategies for responding to digital gossip and exclusion, encouraging students to express their true selves in the digital realm.
Seems simple, right? However, we’re dealing with kids aged 11 to 14, who are just starting to understand their identities and social dynamics. Peer pressure is a strong force at this age, and directives from adults often fall flat. Beyond Differences recognizes these challenges and equips students with tools to make positive, compassionate choices online, but ultimately, the responsibility lies with them.
Watching students take the #CallItOutDay pledge is truly inspiring. It takes a lot of courage for a tween to publicly speak out against a prevailing norm, even if that norm feels anonymous. I experienced bullying in middle school and never confided in anyone—no teachers, no parents. Others were aware of what was happening but were too afraid to risk their own social standing. If there had been anti-bullying programs back then, perhaps my social struggles would have been shorter or avoided altogether.
More than 400 schools have joined the #CallItOutDay movement. Check if your child’s school is participating, and if not, consider signing up—it’s free! Parents can also get involved and review the educational materials by registering. There are four lesson plans leading up to Call It Out Day.
If April 28 isn’t feasible for your school, you can implement the curriculum at any time. The goal is to help middle schoolers transform negativity into positivity, exclusivity into inclusivity, and cruelty into kindness. Not every student will become best friends with everyone else, but all kids can learn to stand up against bad behavior when they witness it. Understanding the impact of such actions and how to change them is what Call It Out Day is all about. For more details and to sign up, visit CallItOutDay.org.
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In summary, Call It Out Day is a significant initiative aimed at fostering kindness in online interactions among middle school students. By equipping them with the tools to address digital bullying and exclusion, we can help create a more inclusive and compassionate environment for our children.