Interview with Kaitlyn Bristowe
What is bullying to you?
Bullying is defined in many different ways. It is hurtful, abusive behaviour between either two people, or between groups of people. Usually it happens when there's some sort of imbalance in social status or physical power.
How has bullying/cyber-bullying affected you ? What was your experience like with it?
It’s actually affected me in both positive and negative ways. I say positive, because it has brought me a lot of awareness and I now have a platform where I can publicly speak to it. At this stage in my life, I don't let bullying define me. However, if I was younger and more fragile, it could destroy me. Unfortunately, my eyes are now open to a whole new world of negativity. It breaks my heart that it will only get worse as social media grows.
Going on a TV show that millions watch - I knew I would be judged. I tried to prepare myself for it (not that you could ever prepare yourself for that kind of scrutiny). I definitely wasn’t aware of how bad it could be. It was a shock. I went from being surrounded by family, friends and people who love me, to being surrounded by people on the internet who hate me and judge me. Some even told me that I belonged in a dumpster. All this for just being myself. It was so bizarre. To this day, I don't fully understand it.
What do you think some of the reasons are that people cyber-bully?
I believe that bullying stems from insecurities. At least, that's been my personal experience with cyber-bullying. People see me as this "character" on TV, rather than a real person with feelings. I think that it happens when people sit at home, are unhappy with their own lives and then take it out on others. A lot of these people would not speak the same harsh words that they so easily type.
How should you react if you are being cyber-bullied?
It really depends. Personally, I don't always react the same way. Sometimes, I don’t even read the comments. Then there are times where I call the person out, because sometimes that’s all it takes. I never attack back, but I point things out. I want them to understand that what they said was hurtful. When they see the “character" on TV respond back to their silly comments, they apologize. I believe that it helps them to think twice before writing rude comments elsewhere. And other times I just ignore and block the person.
What should you do if you are seeing someone being bullied, or cyber-bullied?
It depends on the circumstance and how bad it is. If someone is experiencing physical harm - then, I'd call the police! But, otherwise, I would talk to the person and ask them "why"? I'd ask them why they feel the need to bully and what they get from it in return. I'd ask them to stop.
My biggest wish for the world is for people to make kindness cool. These anti-bullying conversations are a great place to start.
What do you feel would be some effective solutions to prevent cyber-bullying?
Get people together to talk about how it's not okay. Block the people who are cruel on the internet - and just remind each other that kindness is an attractive quality.
How do you plan to raise more awareness of bullying in the future?
I'll continue to have these conversations and reiterate that it's just unacceptable. Adults need to hear it too, because I've encountered parents that bully their children. That scares me.
Bullying is defined in many different ways. It is hurtful, abusive behaviour between either two people, or between groups of people. Usually it happens when there's some sort of imbalance in social status or physical power.
How has bullying/cyber-bullying affected you ? What was your experience like with it?
It’s actually affected me in both positive and negative ways. I say positive, because it has brought me a lot of awareness and I now have a platform where I can publicly speak to it. At this stage in my life, I don't let bullying define me. However, if I was younger and more fragile, it could destroy me. Unfortunately, my eyes are now open to a whole new world of negativity. It breaks my heart that it will only get worse as social media grows.
Going on a TV show that millions watch - I knew I would be judged. I tried to prepare myself for it (not that you could ever prepare yourself for that kind of scrutiny). I definitely wasn’t aware of how bad it could be. It was a shock. I went from being surrounded by family, friends and people who love me, to being surrounded by people on the internet who hate me and judge me. Some even told me that I belonged in a dumpster. All this for just being myself. It was so bizarre. To this day, I don't fully understand it.
What do you think some of the reasons are that people cyber-bully?
I believe that bullying stems from insecurities. At least, that's been my personal experience with cyber-bullying. People see me as this "character" on TV, rather than a real person with feelings. I think that it happens when people sit at home, are unhappy with their own lives and then take it out on others. A lot of these people would not speak the same harsh words that they so easily type.
How should you react if you are being cyber-bullied?
It really depends. Personally, I don't always react the same way. Sometimes, I don’t even read the comments. Then there are times where I call the person out, because sometimes that’s all it takes. I never attack back, but I point things out. I want them to understand that what they said was hurtful. When they see the “character" on TV respond back to their silly comments, they apologize. I believe that it helps them to think twice before writing rude comments elsewhere. And other times I just ignore and block the person.
What should you do if you are seeing someone being bullied, or cyber-bullied?
It depends on the circumstance and how bad it is. If someone is experiencing physical harm - then, I'd call the police! But, otherwise, I would talk to the person and ask them "why"? I'd ask them why they feel the need to bully and what they get from it in return. I'd ask them to stop.
My biggest wish for the world is for people to make kindness cool. These anti-bullying conversations are a great place to start.
What do you feel would be some effective solutions to prevent cyber-bullying?
Get people together to talk about how it's not okay. Block the people who are cruel on the internet - and just remind each other that kindness is an attractive quality.
How do you plan to raise more awareness of bullying in the future?
I'll continue to have these conversations and reiterate that it's just unacceptable. Adults need to hear it too, because I've encountered parents that bully their children. That scares me.