Bullying

Rachel Ehmke, a Minnesota seventh grader, reportedly took her own life as a result of three months of cruel bullying at the hands of her classmates.

Just 13, she was found hanged in her home on April 29 after suffering repeated abuse such as threats, being called a "slut," "prostitute," and worse.

A text message allegedly circulated through the student body three days before her death, encouraging others to pick on her so she'd quit school.

Rachel Ehmke Suicide Case Sparks Investigation

The text, described by a parent as "pretty explicit," came from a student at a different school, officials said. Regardless, it was too much for Ehmke.

Her parents, Rick and Mary Ehmke, said Rachel - who pleaded with them not to report the bullying, so as not to inflame it - left a note that read:

"I'm fine = I wish I could tell you how I really feel."

Somewhat surprisingly, Rick said he's not going to pursue legal ramifications against those whose actions pushed his daughter over the edge.

"They're kids who made horrible decisions. If [they] would've known this would happen I'm pretty sure they never, ever would have done what they did," her dad said.

"Sadly enough, even those kids that know who they are will carry this baggage their whole life. That's a sad thing too, it really is."

Feeling that New Jersey's tough anti-bullying laws weren't tough enough, one father took matters into his own hands, secretly recording a teacher and an aide mocking his autistic child and garnering national attention as a result.

Stuart Chaifetz said his 10-year-old son, Akian, had always been a "sweet and nonviolent child," and so it was puzzling when he began coming home with notes from Horace Mann Elementary School claiming he was having violent outbursts.

Dad Records Teacher Mocking Autistic Child

In some cases, Akian was accused of hitting his teacher and an aide. When meetings with school administrators didn't produce answers, Chaifetz was at a loss.

"I felt I was beginning to lose my son, that these outbursts were changing his very nature," he says. "I knew I had to find out what was happening in his class."

Chaifetz's method of getting to the bottom of things including wiring his son for sound one February morning. Akian returned with more than six hours of audio.

Six hours that Stuart Chaifetz said "changed his life forever."

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Lady Gaga wants kids to rethink their entire social structure.

A bold, broad and ambitious task, but would you expect anything less from the Mother Monster? With her new Born This Way Foundation, that's exactly what she's striving for.

She has some specific ideas for how it might work, too ...

Asked by Time how an 11-year-old girl might follow Gaga's advice and become more empowered, rather than succumb to other patterns, the singer-songwriter says:

"She could go up to a person in class who maybe is not one of the cool kids and say, 'I really like your T-shirt.' Her one great loving, accepting deed for the day."

That would be a brave step, which is what the initiative is about - combatting meanness and cruelty, inspiring bravery and working toward an accepting society.

"I'm doing everything I can, working with experts, studying statistics, trying to figure out a way we can make it cool or normal to be kind and loving," says Lady Gaga.

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Bullying. It's all the rage these days ... pun not intended.

Girl Fight, the Lifetime movie based on a true story of a teen beating in Florida, premiered last night. What was so important about this particular story?

A self-described brainiac, 16-year-old Haley enters her senior year of high school determined to have some more fun. Enter the popular girls led by Alexa.

Alexa welcomes her into the fold after she does her a few favors, but not all of the popular girls like her. Soon enough, Haley is being full-on cyber-bullied.

After that, Facebook taunts give way to physical violence.

Anne Heche and James Tupper, a real life couple, play Haley’s parents.

Girl Fight is trying to tell a bigger story than that of Victoria “Tori” Lindsay, the girl assaulted in Lakeland, Fla. Lifetime producers call the film "universal."

It depicts the tragic world of bullying, but also sends a message of forgiveness, says Jodelle Ferland, 16, plays Haley, the girl attacked by her peers.

“She’s just a normal girl trying to fit in. How she got through it [the attack] showed a lot of courage. She was angry, but she never wanted revenge.”

She described the movie as instructive because it helps families deal with issues, such as violence and resolving conflict - breaking the cycle at last.

It's a strong message. As Lady Gaga, Demi Lovato and countless other stars have told us in recent months, bullying is a cycle that must be broken.

Courtney Stodden is a 16-year old who married a 51-year old last month, actor Doug Hutchison.

But that may not have been the most random thing this aspiring singer even did this year. About six months ago, Stodden recorded an anti-bullying PSA. A good cause? Absolutely.

Also a self-serving ego trip for the the teenager, who describes herself below as a recording artist/model/actress/model/TV hostess, claims she deals with cyberbullies on a "daily basis" and, twice, reminds viewers her breasts are real? Yes.

Courtney Stodden Hates on Cyberbullying

50 Cent continues to branch out career-wise.

The rapper has teamed up with Razorbill publisher Ben Schrank to write and release a book called Playground, a semi-autobiographical novel based on his childhood.

One major theme: The issue of teen bullying.

The story, set to be released next January, will reportedly focus on a 13-year old schoolyard bully "who finds redemption as he faces what he's done."

"I had a strong desire to write Playground because I wanted to explore how a kid becomes a bully," said 50 Cent in a statement earlier this week.

"I drew on events from my own childhood and adolescence, but was equally excited to see the story take on its own life."

"This book would have been very helpful for me growing up and now that I have a teenage son, it is my goal that this will have a positive influence on all teenagers."

While we never pegged 50 Cent for a socially-conscious novelist, he does have plenty of interesting stories and lessons to share. Are we right?

[Photo: WENN.com]

On the day of her Born This Way album release, Lady Gaga discussed the new record's message and her own struggles with bullying on The View.

She may be Forbes' most powerful celebrity, but it wasn't long ago that Gaga was a "freak" being picked on for her physical appearance and more.

Lady Gaga is known for her outrageous fashion and bombastic stage routines, but her candid, thoughtful remarks on complex issues always impresses.

The pop superstar said her new record's inherent message is to "Be yourself, love who you are and be proud, because you were born this way."

Watch two excerpts from her interview, in which she reflects on her own experiences with bullying and with hateful people as an adult, below:

Lady Gaga on The View - A Bullied Teen

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Granted, we dubbed "Friday," the single released by Rebecca Black last week that garnered millions of YouTube hits in mere days as the worst song in recorded history.

But this aspiring artist says that's nothing compared to the personal attacks she's received since the video made her into a celebrity.

"At times, it feels like I'm being cyberbullied," Black tells The Daily Beast, saying she was sent messages that read: "'I hope you cut yourself, and I hope you'll get an eating disorder so you'll look pretty.'"

The 13-year old adds "I don't think I'm the worst singer, but I don't think I'm the best" and then explains the origin of the track:

It was part a $2,000 package her mother paid to Ark Music Factory, a Los Angeles-based production company for teen hopefuls. She chose to release "Friday" because she could relate to its simple themes. Hoping to one day truly make it big, Rebecca has one dream in mind:

"I am in love with Justin Bieber. [A duet] would make my life!"

Bullying is getting a lot of publicity these days, with an outspoken Madonna joining a chorus of celebrities in voicing opposition to this disturbing trend.

Not surprisingly, the music icon used stronger words than most.

Appearing via satellite on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Madonna makes a heartfelt plea to end bullying, which she likens to lynching or the Holocaust.

Madonna never minces words.

"I'm incredibly disturbed and saddened by the overwhelming number of teen suicides that have been reported lately because of bullying," she says.

"Suicide in general is disturbing. Teenagers committing suicide is extremely disturbing, but to hear that teenagers are taking their lives because they are being bullied in schools and dormitories, what have you, is kind of unfathomable."

Madonna, who says she was bullied herself as a kid in Michigan, was just getting started on a "rampage" troubled kids could all learn a lesson from ...

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It must be Impressive Young Artists Week on Ellen.

First, the show gave a platform to Willow Smith, who blew us away with a rendition of "Whip My Hair." Watch it NOW.

Then, earlier today, Justin Bieber appeared alongside Ellen DeGeneres and touched on issues from dating to bullying, the latter of which is relevant these days due to the sad circumstances surrounding Demi Lovato. Excerpts are below...

Justin Bieber fans simply must watch how this artist shocked Ellen attendees on today's show. Check it out now!

Does he ever date? "[It's] very hard but, you know, it happens. I like to hang out with girls and date and stuff like every other 16-year-old."

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