Bullied book-loving teen gets online support

[Kyng]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-51696509

A schoolboy bullied for his love of books has received support from authors, bookshops and celebrities.

Callum Manning created an Instagram account reviewing some of the recent books he had read.

The 13-year-old had just started a new school in South Shields when fellow pupils began mocking him about it on a group chat that he was able to see.

When his older sister tweeted about it there was a surge of online support for him and he now has 85,000 followers.

His sister Ellis Landreth tweeted on Saturday that she "could not believe how awful" some people were. Her post went viral and has attracted overwhelmingly positive responses.

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Wow, it's rather sad that he was bullied for something like this . His love of reading shouldn't be mocked: it should be celebrated!

I'm glad to see the online world has been more supportive of him - and I hope that this shuts up the bullies who have been so unkind towards him.

[Chellectible]

Ah I saw people talking about this on instagram earlier... what kind of world do we live in where people get bullied for reading? Social media is horrible.

Kudos to him, and I'm glad he is getting lots of support and exposure now! Woo!

[Moonshroom]

Social Media can be trash sometimes.

[Kyng]

Social Media can be trash sometimes.

Sure, it can - but it can also be wonderful.

It's a double-edged sword - and this story does a good job of encapsulating that. Without social media, the bullying wouldn't have happened... but then, nor would the outpouring of support that followed it.

I agree that social media can sometimes be trash, but if you want to give an example of it being "trash", then this probably isn't the best one to pick .

[Moonshroom]

Social Media can be trash sometimes.

Sure, it can - but it can also be wonderful.

It's a double-edged sword - and this story does a good job of encapsulating that. Without social media, the bullying wouldn't have happened... but then, nor would the outpouring of support that followed it.

I agree that social media can sometimes be trash, but if you want to give an example of it being "trash", then this probably isn't the best one to pick .

Then you are the example. 

Happy now?

[Kyng]

Social Media can be trash sometimes.

Sure, it can - but it can also be wonderful.

It's a double-edged sword - and this story does a good job of encapsulating that. Without social media, the bullying wouldn't have happened... but then, nor would the outpouring of support that followed it.

I agree that social media can sometimes be trash, but if you want to give an example of it being "trash", then this probably isn't the best one to pick .

Then you are the example. 

Happy now?

Guess I can take one for the team .

[JHG]

Said bullies never apparently read any George Arr Arr Martin.
Be strong good reader!

[Jarkko]

He could be reading anything from George RR Martin, to JRR Tolkien, to theology, to geology, to linguistics, to how to cook linguini... more power to him! Keep reading!

And legit bullies (in cases such as the one in the OP) always suck, regardless of the reasoning behind said bullying.

[JennyorAlice]

I hope the bullies don't keep the young lad from reading.  There is nothing wrong with enjoying a good book.  It isn't bothering any of the other kids at his school or doing them any harm so there is nothing to bully him over.  Just leave him be and let him enjoy his reading.

[The Last Outlaw]

If I've said it once, I've said it over a million times.  If there is one thing I can't stand is a bully.  The problem with online bullies, is that they are so brave behind a computer screen, but given the chance, they wouldn't do it in person.  My phrase "Keyboard Warriors" is what I call these bullies.  I'd like to see them get the same "medicine" they like to dish out... only difference would be that there are people brave enough to show these Computer Cruiserweights (new phrase, probably will not catch on) they call them out to their face!