It can be a pretty rough world, one filled with negativity and cynicism. It can be especially tough for young people, as the insult-slinging and harassment are no longer restricted to the schoolyard. With the omnipresence of social media and the Internet, cyberbullying can follow them everywhere.

From spreading nasty rumors to sharing embarrassing pictures to even threatening physical violence, cyberbullying can lead to some rather horrific outcomes. Did you know that 1 in 5 kids is affected by bullying? I was one of them (and that was before the Internet took over our lives). Something needs to change. Don’t you think the world could use a little more kindness?

Don’t you think we could all be a little bit nicer to one another?

The folks at Metropolis at Metrotown certainly think so and that’s why they are once again joining the movement against bullying for Pink Shirt Day. In fact, they’re hosting an extra special Pink Shirt Day contest, running from February 15 to February 28.

Pledge to Make Nice

There are two main ways you can participate in Pink Shirt Day with Metropolis at Metrotown.

First, you can post your pledge to perform a random act of kindness on the Metropolis at Metrotown Instagram page. This could be something as simple as holding the door open for a stranger or it could be as ambitious as you’d like. Pay for someone else’s coffee order? Volunteer at the local hospice?

For every pledge made, Metropolis at Metrotown will donate $1 to the CKNW Orphans’ Fund (up to a total of $3,000) that can then be used toward supporting youth programming to help end bullying.

As a huge added incentive for you to “make nice,” when you post your pledge to the Metropolis at Metrotown Instagram page and tag a friend, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $500 shopping spree at the mall. What’s more, a local charity of your choosing will also receive a $500 gift card. I’d say that’s pretty darn nice.

Pink Shirt Day at Metropolis

Care to witness the amazing atmosphere of Pink Shirt Day in person? Head on over to Metropolis at Metrotown on Wednesday, February 28. Students from a number of neighborhood schools will be performing random acts of kindness during the day, as well as distributing original artwork with inspiring and uplifting quotes and poems. They will also put on a special “flash mob” performance in the Grand Court at 11:30 a.m.

Oh, and I’ll be there again.

Along with some local family bloggers and social media influencers, we’ll be making our way around the mall doing random acts of kindness of our own. Remember what I did last year with Nemo, Olaf and a box of donuts? This year, I’ll actually have a pink shirt to wear too! If you spot me, come say hi. I might buy you a cup of coffee.

For more detailed information and official rules for the #METMakeNice contest, check the official page on the Metropolis at Metrotown website. How will you pledge to help end bullying and to make nice?

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Metropolis at Metrotown. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.