Obama shares childhood tales at bullying conference

US President Barack Obama confessed he was taunted as a kid over his “big ears” and unusual name, as he spoke on preventing bullying.

“Bullying isn’t a problem that makes headlines every day, but every day it touches the lives of people all across the country,” Obama said, noting a growing movement among young people to combat youth harassment.

“If there is one goal of this conference, it is to dispel the myth that bullying is just a harmless rite of passage or an inevitable part of growing up,” Mr said as he opened the conference. “It’s not. Bullying can have destructive consequences for our young people.”

The White House said nearly a third of school children or 13 million students are bullied each year. It said targeted students are more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol and have mental health issues.

It is encouraging schools and the private sector to join efforts against bullying and is highlighting private, non-profit and government prevention efforts.