Local Derry teen Stewart O’Doherty was recently surprised with tech equipment worth £5,000 from his idol, Adam Beales, after the YouTube star learned of the troubles Stewart was facing with bullying.
Stewart, who started his own YouTube channel about a year ago, began making regular video content during lockdown. He faced online bullying for his videos, but the criticism followed the 14-year-old when he returned to school in September of this year.
“At first it started with sly comments, but then it grew to people physically throwing stuff at me,” Stewart said.
“I didn’t give up on the idea of YouTubing, but I didn’t upload much because of what was happening.”
Stewart’s plight came out when he told his 18-year-old sister Molly.
“When Stewart told me I was absolutely livid,” she said. “I was so annoyed with myself because I hadn’t been able to do anything to help but it was only because I didn’t know.
“Stewart just loved doing his YouTube channel – it was just silly wee things like challenges and that type of thing. He just enjoyed it. He wasn’t doing any harm and it certainly was no reason for him to be bullied.”
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Molly tweeted about the troubles her brother was facing, and it went viral with huge support from other content creators.
Often referred to as his YouTube name, Adam B, the 21-year-old star said he felt he could relate to what Stewart was enduring.
“I know exactly what he's going through,” said the current Blue Peter presenter, who videoed his encounter with Stewart for his own YouTube channel.
“And the main message in making the video and giving the gifts will be to highlight bullying and the huge negative effects it has on kids.
“I gave Stewart a laptop, cameras, mics, speakers, GoPros, tripods, a segway, airpods, smart watch, headphones, computer mouse, a camera gimbal plus a few other gadgets to help him on his YouTube journey.
“I wanted to give him these gadgets so that he could have a kickstart on YouTube and something to show the bullies that he doesn't need to listen to them.”
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Stewart is now even more determined to keep making content.
“There are no words for me to say what I want to Adam. He’ll never know what he’s done for me," he said. “I’d like to thank the people who bullied me… because, without them, I would never have been able to meet my idol, Adam B.
“I’d also like to tell them that bullying someone for doing what they love to do doesn't make you a better person.”
Adam himself was spurred on by school bullies. He started doing YouTube in 2012 periodically until 2015 when he began devoting more time to it.
“Being in an all-boy school, back when there were no big Northern Irish YouTubers to look up to - it was very difficult to stay on that path,” said the social media sensation who now has over three million subscribers to his channel.
“It was difficult to keep believing when everyone else was talking about you, making fun, calling you names as you walked past them in school corridors. It was horrible and I wish it on no one. Therefore, Stewart's case hit a nerve. I know exactly what he is going through.”
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“I was very close to giving up so many times when I was at school. Being told by both pupils and even teachers to stop YouTube - it was a very stressful environment.
“It was an environment where I asked myself multiple times, 'is it even worth it?', 'is it worth the hassle?' But I am very glad I didn't give them the satisfaction because I wouldn't be where I am today if I had listened to them."
Adam also now has more than 500,000 followers on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok due to his witty pranks and sketches, and noted that he still gets some texts from his former sceptics.
“I often got random texts from people who relentlessly ashamed me for doing YouTube - and now they're the ones texting me, congratulating me.
“Anyone who made fun of me or made me feel insecure for doing something I loved, I would say to them ‘why", ‘what did they get from it’, ‘Are you happy’.
“I would ask these questions because I am still baffled as to why people feel the need to mentally/physically/emotionally attack others for something that doesn't even affect them. It boggles my brain and it's a thing that needs stamped out. No one should ever tolerate bullying. No one.”
“Don't underestimate anyone. The people you bully could very well be the people you need a job from in the future. Believe in yourself. If I can do it, then you can do it. And don't let anyone tell you otherwise.”
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If you or someone you know is being bullied don’t be afraid to talk to an adult or contact Childline.org.uk on 0800 1111. For more information about how you can tackle bullying adults can go to endbullying.org.uk
