NICKELODEON’S THE HALO EFFECT RECOGNIZES FLORIDA TEEN JAYLEN ARNOLD FOR HIS ANTI-BULLYING ACTIVISM IN “JAYLEN’S CHALLENGE, PREMIERING MONDAY, FEB. 22, AT 8:30 P.M. (ET/PT)

NEW YORK – Extraordinary teen Jaylen Arnold fights to end bullying in a brand-new episode of The HALO Effect, “Jaylen’s Challenge,” premiering Monday, Feb. 22, at 8:30pm (ET/PT) on Nickelodeon.  The episode profiles Arnold, a 15-year-old from Florida who decided to take a stance against bullying and build a friendlier world through his organization, Jaylen’s Challenge Foundation, after being bullied for his disability. The HALO Effect highlights teens who “help and lead others “(HALO) in their community and inspire others to do the same.

In “Jaylen’s Challenge,” Arnold fights bullying with words and experience instead of fighting back physically.  At the age of 8, he was bullied so severely in a new school because of his Tourette Syndrome tics that he had to be removed from school.  Upon his return to his old school, Arnold wanted to help other kids that were being bullied so he created the Jaylen’s Challenge Foundation.  His organization is dedicated to promoting awareness and prevention of bullying through education and community service.  Arnold goes around the country giving presentations and workshops on the effects of bullying and how to stop it.  He also helps kids create Jaylen’s Challenge Ambassador Clubs in their schools to help spread his “Bullying No Way!” message.

Since its inception, the Jaylen’s Challenge Foundation has taught over 150,000 children in face-to-face assemblies how to recognize bullying and to appreciate the differences in each other.  In recognition of his commitment to anti-bullying, Nickelodeon’s The HALO Effect will award a $10,000 grant to Arnold’s organization.

In his episode, the teen will issue a “HALO Effect Challenge,” a call-to-action encouraging inspired viewers to participate in his cause and join the HALO movement.  As part of Arnold’s “HALO Effect Challenge,” he is encouraging everyone to take part in Jaylen’s Challenge and post a selfie or video of themselves performing a random act of kindness.  Viewers can get more information on Jaylen Arnold and his challenge at www.nick.com/haloeffect.  This episode of The HALO Effect is sponsored by American Family Insurance.

The HALO Effect series expands Nickelodeon’s ongoing commitment to the HALO movement by giving an in-depth look into the inspirational stories of teens who are eager to share the issues and projects important to them and excited to engage others to achieve impact. The show is hosted by Sydney Park (Instant Mom) and executive produced by Nick Cannon and NCredible Entertainment, as well as Morgan Spurlock, Richard Arlook, Jeremy Chilnick, Matthew Galkin and Ethan Goldman of Warrior Poets.  

Nickelodeon, now in its 36th year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books and feature film offerings. Nickelodeon’s U.S. television network is seen in almost 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 20 consecutive years.