People are sharing their adorably awkward school photos as part of this awesome anti-bullying campaign

It’s no secret that sometimes kids can be downright cruel. While teasing and even bullying are sadly commonplace during childhood, most people gain perspective in adulthood to realize that kind of behavior is wrong and extremely hurtful.

That’s why a group of those who are older and wiser have taken to social media to speak out against bullying. As part of the Diana Award #Back2School campaign, people are sharing cringeworthy (and hilarious!) photos of themselves as children alongside anti-bullying messages to prove that we were all once awkward kids and that no one deserves to be bullied for any reason.

I can’t imagine anyone bullying the adorable little girl in the photo below. All grown up now, Kay Medway posted this photo of herself as a kid along with the caption, “Remember to talk to a friend or teacher if you are being bullied no matter what school year you are in #Back2School @AntiBullyingPro.”

Check out some of the other inspiring posts below.

Here’s stand-up comedian and actor Steven Kramer Glickman, who starred as Shrek on Broadway. He’s currently playing Pigeon Toady in the upcoming Warner Brothers animated movie “Storks.” Take THAT, junior high bullies!

And here’s Instagrammer Alice Sutton, who admits to having been bullied throughout high school and college. She says surviving those difficult experiences made her the girl she is today.

Music blogger Barnsey shared this school photo with the caption, “Never let anyone else, stop you from being you!”

British TV presenter Cathy Newman got in on the campaign, sharing this adorable photo of herself as a young girl in pigtails and encouraging others to post their school photos to speak out against bullying.

She shared more about her thoughts on the topic of bullying in the heartfelt and candid YouTube video below.

Newman notes that she was probably around 8 or 9 years old in the photo and that she was self-conscious of her teeth because she felt they stuck out. She reveals that at later ages, she was the victim of sexual harassment at school.

While she didn’t have the courage to report the incidents at the time, now that she reflects back on her experiences she wishes that she had. Newman says that she encourages her two young daughters to be proud of who they are as individuals, even if they find that they’re different than what most might consider “normal.”

We couldn’t agree more! To learn more about the campaign and find out how you can contribute, visit their website.