High school is a difficult time for everyone, but for some people, it's much worse than others. Unfortunately, bullying is a common issue that many teenagers have to deal with during their years in school and, while social media has been good for a lot of things, it's also had a major impact on how people get abused in their teenage years.
Studies show that nearly 43 per cent of kids have had to deal with some form of online bully, making it imperative that they learn how to cope with the harassment.
One girl who issued an incredible response to online bullies is Lynelle Cantwell, from Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada.
Cantwell was one of the unlucky subjects of a disgusting online poll in which some of her classmates asked people to name the 'ugliest girl' in school.
While she may have come fourth in the poll, Cantwell was understandably hurt and upset by the poll.
"It outraged me ... all of these girls are hurt because of this one person who has no heart or sympathy for anything," she told CBC News. "I wanted to be the bigger person, and instead of fighting fire with fire, I decided to fight it a different way and make something that was really negative into something really positive."
So, after taking the time to compose herself and gather her thoughts, Cantwell penned a beautifully worded open letter to the people who had created the poll:
"To the person that made the 'ugliest girls in grade 12 at hth' ask.FM straw poll. I'm sorry that your life is so miserable that you have to try to bring others down. To the 12 people that voted for me to bring me to 4th place. I'm sorry for you too. I'm sorry that you don't get to know me as a person.
"I know that i'm not the prettiest thing to look at. I know i have a double chin and i fit in XL clothes. I know i don't have the perfect smile or the perfect face. But i'm sorry for you. Not myself.
"I'm sorry that you get amusement out of making people feel like shit. I'm sorry that you'll never get the chance to know the kind of person i am. I may not look okay on the outside.. But i'm funny, nice, kind, down to earth, not judgemental, accepting, helpful, and i'm super easy to talk to. Thats the same for every other girl on that list that you all put down.
"Just because we don't look perfect on the outside does not mean we are ugly. If thats your idea of ugly then i feel sorry for you. Like seriously? Get a life."
The post went viral on Facebook, with it receiving over 8,000 likes and a load of comments from people full of praise for the high school student. One friend wrote:
"You are a beautiful girl! Inside and out. Don't put yourself down. I remember Tyra Banks said that her mother told her one time at a modeling gig as she was looking around at all the beautiful models and her mom said 'there are some really ugly people here' These bullies whoever they are the ugliest people at HTS.
"So disgusting what people will do to make themselves feel better these days!! I remember working at Tims and having these kinds of chats with you, people can be AWFUL. Cheer up girl, I'm so glad to see you not letting this get you down and recognizing how great of a girl you are! you're one of the nicest most down to earth girls I've met, not to mention hilarious AND beautiful, inside and out!
"Lynelle, you are one of the most beautiful people I have ever met, inside and out. Just because you don't hide your natural beauty under inches of war paint you are considered by some pathetic shallow people as "ugly". If some of these "beautiful" people took off their makeup their faces would match their personalities, which is obviously not very nice. Keep your chin up sweetie you're amazing."
Fair play to Cantwell for dealing with the bullying in such a well-worded and mature manner. If only the bullies were as dignified and respectful as her.
