Starting today through November 20, Family Channel marks its ninth annual Bullying Awareness Week, a nationwide effort to curb bullying and empower young people with stories, resources, and practical guidance across Canada and the United States. The week is designed to spark conversations, build supportive communities, and give families tools to create safer school environments and online spaces.
From 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., viewers can tune in to WHAT’S UP, STAND UP!, a special program hosted by the WHAT’S UP WARTHOGS news team. The night also features episodes of GOOD LUCK CHARLIE, SHAKE IT UP, and WINGIN’ IT, along with a brand-new installment of WHAT’S UP WARTHOGS. Throughout the evening, audiences will hear authentic bully stories from popular stars such as Selena Gomez and Cody Simpson, reinforcing that bullying touches people from all walks of life and that speaking up matters.
Tonight also premieres Tyler Medieros’ new music video for his campaign song What’s Up, Stand Up. A follow-up interview with Tyler is planned for tomorrow, exploring the song’s message and how he has navigated bullying in his own life.
A magazine interview with Karissa Staples, who plays Victoria on WHAT’S UP WARTHOGS, shares her thoughts on the campaign, bullying, and more. She explains how the initiative resonates with viewers and why their stories can inspire real change.
What excited you about getting involved in the What’s Up, Stand Up! campaign? K: Every year the stars from one of Family’s original series join Stand Up or another campaign, and we were lucky enough that the cast of What’s Up, Warthogs! had the honour of hosting this year. And since our show revolves around a high school crew, it seems like the perfect way to spread messages and stories regarding bullying. With familiar faces, we want to let our audience know that we, too, have encountered our own experiences with bullying as well.
So have you ever dealt with a bully in your life personally? K: I did when I was very, very young, I think about in the first grade. The student who acted out and I thought how he acted with other kids, and I don’t know how I had it in me that young, but I did tell my teacher that I was scared and he was on close watch throughout the year. I would have dreaded going to school all year if I hadn’t done something. But in high school, the huge issue was bullying online, on social networking sites like Facebook and Myspace. For some reason it was easy for someone to speak harshly about somebody else behind a computer screen, so that was a huge issue when I was in high school.
What sort of message would you give someone who’s dealing with a bully right now? K: I would say that they have to know that they’re definitely not alone, it happens to so many children all around the world, but the best thing to do in any situation is to tell a friend or an adult that you can trust. But they should tell somebody. And another great option is to find an organization such as PREVNet or Kids Help Phone, which both offer support, too.
Your character, Victoria, how do you think she would handle a bully? K: I think Victoria is a leader, so she would be one to stand up to a bully, or if she saw somebody being bullied, she would know to tell an adult or to intervene somehow. You know, because it’s hard for some kids to stand up for themselves. Sometimes you need somebody to step in, and Victoria is that strong-headed character which I hope young girls can be inspired to be as well.
Which Warthogs character do you think would handle bullying the best, or the worst? K: I think Lainey would handle it the worst, because she is the youngest one out of the group, and she skipped a grade so she’s even younger in age and experience. But the best would definitely be Victoria, she would take charge.
Why do you think it’s important for shows like What’s Up, Warthog! and other Family programs to address bullying? K: I know that shows and media all have a big influence on kids, and we all look up to people on TV. The stars and Selena Gomez’s and whoever else—Hannah Montana—but we have to realize, as Family stars, that we are setting an example to our audience. There’s a moral to every story, and they take that message and they can aspire to be that character or that person. If there’s a strong message, I know that when I was watching television shows, the message stuck with me, and I hope that we can do that at least in some of our episodes!
Thank you, Karissa! For a full rundown of what’s happening this week, check Family Channel’s WHAT’S UP, STAND UP page. Keep checking back to Family Channel for more news on Bullying Awareness Week and WHAT’S UP WARTHOGS!
Photo courtesy of Family Channel / Astral Media.