Experts believe Lady Gaga, other celebs could teach kids horrors of bullying

A researcher at the University at Buffalo has claimed that Lady Gaga and other celebrities commenting on bullying have a chance to teach young people about the horrors bullying abuse.

Amanda Nickerson, a licensed psychologist, and the director of the University at Buffalo’s Alberti Centre for Prevention of Bullying Abuse said that celebrities have a power that makes it important for them to act responsibly.

“Lady Gaga tweeting about the tragic suicide of Williamsville student Jamey Rodemeyer is going to reach a different audience than the White House’s summit on bullying,” said Nickerson.

“Lady Gaga is going to speak to the youth. Whatever she says is going to reach these young audiences. It’s up to her and other well-known people who others look up to say responsible things,” she stated.

Nickerson, who heads a newly endowed centre in UB’s Graduate School of Education has said that this week’s suicide of the suburban Buffalo teen is another example of a tragedy that might have been exacerbated by bullying behavior.

Rodemeyer posted a lyric from the Lady Gaga song, 'The Queen' on his Facebook page the night before he took his own life and since then, the ‘Poker Face’ singer has tweeted on the youth’s death.

“Jamey Rodemeyer, 14 years old, took his life because of bullying. Bullying must become illegal. It is a hate crime,” Lady Gaga tweeted.