Bullying is a serious issue that affects kids all over the world. In this digital age, this problem is not limited to the classroom or the school playground but also extends to social media platforms like Snapchat and Instagram. And this kind of bullying is known as Cyberbullying. If parents do not stay aware of what is going on in their wards’ day-to-day lives, bullying can have a detrimental effect on their overall mental health. Films are a powerful tool to increase awareness and inspire discussions on bullying. Movies of bullying can help children understand the severity of this issue and the significance of standing up for others.
By watching bullying movies and discussing the key points with parents, children can differentiate between right and wrong behaviors. Moreover, these films also work as a tool for healing if a minor has gone through any type of bullying. Here, we will discuss 10 powerful movies about bullying that every child and parent must see.
The common themes in movies about bullying
Before moving to bullying movies, it is important to know about the most common themes of them. Although there are myriad themes in such films, the most common are those that reflect the real issues of life. Let us explore some of them.
1. Focus on the victim’s journey
Many bullying films revolve around the victim’s overall experience. They tell about how the victim goes through psychological as well as physical challenges. These movies delve deeply into internal struggles, like feelings of isolation and fear. Apart from this, such films show the effect on the mental health of the victim because of detrimental experiences.
2. The role of bystanders
Some movies center around the role of bystanders. These are those kids who are witnesses to bullying but do not get involved. The reason for this is their fear of becoming the target of perpetrators. The movies based on bystanders teach how important it is to stand up against the harmful behaviors of peers. They also show that staying silent is a kind of crime.
3. Redemption and personal growth
Apart from the victim’s journey and the bystander’s role, many films also focus on how victims go through a transformative journey after bullying. By watching such movies about bullying, minors learn how to stand up for themselves and handle the toxicity in an effective way.
4. Understanding the bully’s perspective
Not all bullying movies are solely focused on the victim and the perpetrators; a few also highlight the reasons behind the bullying actions. These movies try to take out the real causes of bullying; it could be the victim’s own insecurities or a poor home atmosphere. Such movies try to teach viewers that bullying is not related to bad behavior; it is sometimes about deeper, unexplored issues.
5. The influence of the environment
There are many popular movies that depict how the environment of a certain place can result in bullying. For instance, bullying can be initiated by peer pressure, family dynamics, or over-expectations from society. These kinds of films try to reveal that bullying isn’t an isolated act; it is influenced by many social as well as environmental factors.
Now that you know about the most common themes of bullying, it’s time to explore 10 positive movies of bullying.
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10 positive movies of bullying every minor should watch
Bullying is a very sensitive topic. Therefore, it is imperative to watch movies that depict the pain as well as offer hope for transformation. Here are 10 powerful movies about bullying that can help minors understand this issue better and teach them to deal with the situation in a positive way.
Wonder
Wonder is a sentimental story based on a young boy, Auggie. He was born with rare facial deformities and had undergone facial surgeries. He always wears a helmet when going to a public place. His mother gave him homeschooling till the age of 10. But in the 5th standard, Auggie’s parents decide to send him to a private middle school.
There, he experienced bullying from his mates because of his looks. This movie teaches us to treat every human being with respect and dignity, regardless of their appearance. It also shows how one person’s courage can inspire peers. This movie is recommended for kids above 7 years old.
The Karate Kid
The other inspiring movie of bullying is The Karate Kid. In this, there is a teenage boy named Daniel. He moved to a new city and was bullied by his mates. Daniel met Mr. Miyagi there, who taught him about the martial arts. This added incredible power to Daniel’s personality, and nobody teased or physically harmed him after that in school or on the playground. This movie is about handling bullying with self-confidence and inner strength rather than giving up. The Karate Kid is suitable for kids aged 10 and above.
Akeelah and the Bee
This movie is also full of inspiration to tackle bullying. It is based on an 11-year-old character called Akeelah. She was a spelling enthusiast and used to live with her widowed mom and three siblings. Akeelah was bullied by her teachers for her intelligence. She didn’t get any support from them for the National Spelling Bee competition. But her inner confidence, friendship, and strong determination make her win the competition. This movie teaches that if you work hard and stay focused, nobody can stop you from achieving your goals.
Playground
The Playground is a painstaking emotional bullying film, which is primarily picturized for teens. It has two siblings as main characters: the elder brother and the younger sister. They both went to the same school. Sister found his brother being bullied by schoolmates, and she complained about the same to the parents. After this, she herself became part of the bullying. This movie reflects the harsh reality of bullying.
Speak
The movie Speak is centered around a teen, Melinda, who went to high school for education. She decided not to talk too much with her peers. Melinda was bullied by some of her mates. She was caught in the traumatic event because of her silence. The movie teaches how important open communication is to find support and prevent bullying in teenagers. Children above 13 years can watch this movie.
A Silent Voice
The other great movie on bullying is A Silent Voice. It is recommended for teens above 15 because it is a blend of bullying and guild. It is a Japanese movie in which a girl named Shoko is bullied by a boy named Shoy. But later, he realized that he had done something wrong. This movie focuses on the effect of bullying on both the victim and the perpetrator.
Luca
Next is Luca. This is an animated movie that is suitable for kids above age 7. Luca is a sea monster who has always wanted to discover the human world. One day, he visited a side town with his friend Alberto. There, they were bullied by the humans. This story shows how we make wrong perceptions about others without knowing much about them. Luca gives a message of friendship and acceptance.
Bully
Bully is a documentary that is based on real instances of bullying. It is recommended for teens 14 years and above. The aim of the documentary is to show the catastrophic effects of bullying on an individual and why stopping this is so important.
After Lucia
After Lucia is a Mexican drama based on a teenage girl called Alejandra. His father decided to move to a different city for a fresh start after the death of her mother,. Alejandra was admitted to a new high school and tried a lot to mix with her mates. But because of her one mistake at a party, her friends started to bully her. But she decided not to tell her father about this because she did not want to give him stress.
Things were not sorted, but got worse with time. After a few months of harsh bullying, Alejandra disappeared. His father tried to find her but failed to do so. This movie reflects the effect of bullying on the victim and their loved ones.
Let the Right One In
This movie is a unique blend of bullying, horror, and friendship. There are two main characters in the film: Oskar and Eli. Oskar was a 12-year-old boy who was being bullied by his friend. He felt very lonely. But he found a new friend whose name was Eli. But she appears at night time only. Eli helped Oskar by taking revenge on bullies in a very bloody way, as she was a vampire. Because of its intense concept, Let the Right One In is suitable for teens 15+ years. This story illustrates friendship and peer support.
How bully movies can influence minors？
Films based on bullies have a significant impact on minors’ minds. In simple words, they act as a lens through which teens can see the worst effects of bullying on the victim. Movies clarify the emotional toll that toxic behavior by a group can have on others. Apart from this, movies of bullying ignite a sense of sympathy in young minds. They become more humble and analyze any situation from others’ perspectives.
Moreover, teenagers relate themselves to such films and understand how to overcome obstacles without giving up. Such movies instill the confidence to stand up for oneself as well as for others if something wrong is happening.
Movies about bullying, such as Speak and Wonder, encourage minors to openly discuss the problem and seek help. On the other hand, a film like Silent Voice teaches that it’s okay to say sorry if something goes wrong by mistake. The above-mentioned movies surely help teens to handle bullying and to create a more friendly as well as empathic environment for their peers.
How can parents make full use of films about bullies?
Parents can use films about bullying as a major tool to teach important aspects of social life to their wards. Here is how to make full use of films related to bullies:
- First, you should watch such a full movie with your child.
- And after that, you must discuss each and every vital point, such as emotions and behaviors. This way, your kids will better comprehend the impact of bullying on others. Don’t forget to tell them why including empathy and kindness in their behavior is important.
- Furthermore, you should also shed light on the significance of seeking help. For this, you can discuss some good examples from the movies. For instance, you can say, “This boy easily copes with the situation as he tells about bullying to his parents.” This will encourage them to talk openly with you if they are facing any issues.
Movies of bullying can be really helpful in navigating complex situations of real life for minors.
How to prevent and stop bullying as a parent?
Apart from encouraging them to watch such films, there are many other things you can do to prevent bullying in your ward’s life. Here are some tips:
- Create an open dialogue – Talk about how your child feels quite often. Ask them what is going on in their life. Are they feeling secure, or is there something they want to share? Time to time, healthy discussions can prevent bullying before it actually happens.
- Teach empathy – To prevent your ward from bullying others, you must teach them empathy and acceptance. Tell them the importance of living in harmony and supporting others.
- Instill confidence – Make your child confident enough to tackle tough situations. Prepare them to handle conflicts in a non-violent way.
- Monitor social media – Keep your eye beyond the physical world of your child. Monitor their social media accounts regularly to check if everything in their life is going smoothly. This can be done easily with a trusted parental control app like FlashGet Kids. It can help you with:
- Monitoring your ward’s activity in real-time.
- Report any inappropriate connection.
- Checking friends list and messages.
- Limiting screen time.
- Navigating their location.
If you are worried about your minors’ online security, you must invest in FlashGet Kids.
Conclusion
So, movies of bullying work as an invaluable source to teach minors about the effects of such activity. The 10 films stated above can motivate your ward to stay positive in the toughest situations of life and help others. They will also increase their confidence and make them more humble towards others.
FAQs
Yes, bullying-based movies have a significant impact on teens’ behavior. They learn to develop self-confidence, identify their inner strength, and stay empathetic towards others.
Wonder, A Silent Voice, and Speak are at the top of the list if we talk about the best films about bullying for teens.
Of course, movies about bullying are completely safe for kids. However, it is important to check the appropriate age limit to watch the movie.
