Girl's YouTube bullying video hits home

A video posted by a young victim of bullying has struck a chord with kids and parents.

The poster, 13-year-old Alye Pollack, titled the video " Words are worse than Sticks and Stones ."

The video, in which she never speaks, shows her holding up a series of signs which tell her story and urges bullies to consider how their words can truly hurt others.

"Do I look happy?" one of the signs reads.

Her signs say that not a day goes by when someone doesn't call her hateful names.

"I like my school, just not the kids," reads another.

She is currently an 8th grader at Bedford Middle School in Westport, Connecticut.

The video, as of April 6, has taken nearly 438,000 views, with 6,548 likes and 372 dislikes. Commenting on the video has been disabled on the YouTube site.

In the description of the video, Alye writes "Inspired by someone who gets me. Jade. I wanted to share how I feel. Sticks and stones? I don't think so. Words can really hurt. Think before you speak."

Alye's family has asked that the public address comments and inquiries to wordsdohurt@gmail.com or visit the page at facebook.com/WRDSDOHRT rather than trying to contact her directly.

Bullying has increasingly come into focus in recent years. The federal government has built a website, StopBullying.gov, designed to provide resources for the victims of bullying as well as parents, teachers, and children who want to prevent it.

The site was launched last month.

According to the website, victims of bullying can suffer long-term effects, including depression, lower grades, and suicidal tendencies.

They also strike back; federal statistics indicate that in school shootings over the last 20 years, 12 of the 16 shooters were the victims of bullying.

Many don't realize, however, that the bullies themselves also become victims.

One study showed that 60% of boys who bullied others in middle school had a criminal conviction by age 24.

Bullies also have a higher probability of drug or alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, and dropping out of school.

Even people who simply witness bullying tend to be more likely to skip school, have increased likelihood of mental problems including depression, and are more likely to use tobacco, alcohol, and drugs.