How To Stop A Bully.

Make a difference.

It’s a phrase that’s thrown around a lot. People vow to do it. People encourage others to do it. But what is it that can really “make a difference”?

Well according to a nationwide petition, signed by everyone from Johnny Depp & Meryl Streep to 37,450 Facebook users, the soon-to-be-released documentary, “Bully”, may be just the ticket.

“Bully” is a documentary that features three pre-teens/teens that are suffering through verbal and physical bullying, as well as the parents of two boys who committed bullying-related suicides. The documentary, distributed by The Weinstein Group with a release date of March 30, 2012, is a part of the larger “The Bully Project”.  It was written & produced by Lee Hirsch & Cynthia Lowen and directed by Lee Hirsch. It is meant to educate and prevent future bullying. However, as a result of an abundance of crass language, the film has been given an “R” rating. This bars its intended audience from seeing the documentary that was made to both help and educate them.

Many people are upset by this rating and a petition has even been started to lower the rating from “R” to “PG-13”. The petition has 437,832 signatures (as of noon on 3/20/12) and many petitioners even suggest the film should be required for viewing in Middle Schools and High Schools.

While reducing violence and bullying in our schools needs to be a national priority, is there a cost associated as well? Is it not also important to protect children from things like language, violence and self-harm if they are not being exposed to such issues in their own schools?  Is 11-years old too young to introduce topics such as suicide and sexuality?

In your opinion, should this documentary called “Bully” be given a PG-13 rating?