Remember those times where you would walk into the lunchroom and you would be ready to sit and eat, but you did not know where to go? You did not want to sit by yourself, but you had no one else to sit with. Well, “Sit With Us” is a new app created by 16 year old, Natalie Hampton, who was bullied throughout middle school. On her website she talks about sitting alone during lunch, from her experience and embarrassment, she created SitWithUs as a way to make sure others do not suffer as she had to. SitWithUs helps stop bullying and try's to help with the inclusion of students throughout your school.
As students and society progress, we become more exclusive and judgemental. The biggest thing that I thrive on is the inclusion of others and that no one is different. In Middle School, whenever I saw a new student or someone sitting alone I would be the first to go and make sure to sit with them. When one person does something, others follows. Natalie, based on her own experience, decided to take this opportunity to the next and better level.
This young girl who is the same age as me is going to be someone who will make a difference in our world. She is someone who is one step closer to fixing the terror of the High School, or any school cafeteria. I would have never thought of the plan to create an app that would help fight against bullying in such a big way.
Students are able to join the ambassadors’ table. at their school and be the ones to invite others to sit with them. Ambassadors can make an “open lunch” which then signals people with this app that they are welcomed to go and sit with them. It's an amazing way to get others to meet each other and to not make students feel alone. All you have to do is download the app and the instructions are right there. You are not forced to be an Ambassador and you are still able to be one if you so later choose. While right now I do not know anyone in the community around me has the app, I am hoping that schools start to promote and encourage the use of this app.
Recently, Hampton said in an interview with NPR, “This way it’s very private. It’s through the phone. No one else has to know. And you know that you’re not going to be rejected once you get to the table.” No one wants to be vulnerable and then get shot down, and having this be over text messaging makes it easier for kids. We are a social media society and being hidden behind the screen and having the confidence to first make the plan and then knowing that it is a definite plan makes it easier.
In every school around me, and normally most schools, there are clubs that students are able to sign up for to become a part of. Another way to get this message out and have more people in your school and community join would be to make a club so you can get a core group of students willing to help and sit with others.
