In 2017, a short clip from one of my school assemblies unexpectedly exploded online. It was a simple interaction: me, on stage in front of hundreds of students, role-playing a bully, and a volunteer bravely playing the target. What happened in that moment — and why it’s been watched more than 300 million times across platforms — comes down to a few key reasons.

1. A Fresh Perspective on Bullying

Most anti-bullying messages focus on punishment: tell an adult, enforce rules, or remove the bully. While well-intentioned, those approaches rarely give the target real power in the moment. In my video, I flipped the script. I showed that the most effective way to stop a bully is to refuse to get upset — because a bully’s “fuel” is your emotional reaction. No reaction, no reward. This was a fresh, empowering approach that people instantly recognized as different. I first learned of this approach from my mentor, School Psychologist Izzy Kalman.

2. Live Demonstration, Not Just Theory

Anyone can say “don’t get upset,” but in the video, I proved it in real time. The role-play allowed students (and later millions of viewers online) to watch the power dynamic shift the moment my volunteer stopped reacting to my teasing. The audience’s laughter and cheers confirmed that something real and practical was happening before their eyes. It wasn’t abstract — it was visible and unforgettable.

3. Humor as a Teaching Tool

The video is funny. I exaggerated my “bully” persona in a way that made students laugh, which lowered their defenses and kept them engaged. Humor made the lesson stick — instead of feeling lectured, viewers felt entertained and enlightened at the same time.

4. Shareable and Relatable

The clip was short enough to be shared on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube without losing impact. Parents shared it with their kids. Teachers showed it in class. Counselors sent it to families dealing with bullying issues. The simplicity of the message and the universal nature of the problem meant it resonated across cultures and age groups.

5. Authentic Connection

I wasn’t reading from a script or delivering a staged performance — it was a genuine moment from my real work in schools. Viewers can sense authenticity, and when they see that I spend my life helping students build resilience, it adds credibility to the message.

6. A Message People Want to Spread

The strategy in the video doesn’t just stop bullying — it builds emotional resilience for life. That’s why so many people felt compelled to share it. It gave them hope, a practical tool, and a reason to believe that kids can handle tough situations without being crushed by them.

In the end, the reason this video became the most popular bullying prevention video on earth is simple: it’s short, funny, practical, and empowering. It flips the conversation from “stop the bully” to “strengthen the target.” And once people see that approach in action, they want everyone they know to see it too.

Interested in bringing me out to speak to your students? Get in touch by simply clicking the "CONTACT" link on this website.