Bullying. Why haven't we solved this social problem yet? Because, according to an important update from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering & Medicine, bullying is one very complex problem. "Composition of peer groups, shifting demographics, changing societal norms, and modern technology are factors that must be considered to understand and effectively react to bullying in the … [Read more...] about Major update on bullying, cyberbullying in the U.S.: Study
Risk & Safety
True school safety: A ‘compassion network’ in & around schools in Morgan County, W.V.
It's Kindness Week, and there's no greater kindness – for and from people of all ages – than what's being demonstrated in Morgan County, W.V., where great need is being met with great cooperation. County residents have created a web of youth-focused programs supporting kids in and out of school. I've been hearing about the growth of this amazing web of care since I met Gary McDaniel, a clinical … [Read more...] about True school safety: A ‘compassion network’ in & around schools in Morgan County, W.V.
Our humanity, not our tech, is the key to fixing online hate
To mark Safer Internet Day 2016, let's take stock of what we've learned so far and what we can do with the knowledge we've gained so far about online hate.... It has taken a couple of decades but, collectively, we're definitely getting smarter about online risk and how to avoid and address it. We're also getting smarter about how people of various ages, cultures and interests experience and … [Read more...] about Our humanity, not our tech, is the key to fixing online hate
Europe’s big step backward for youth rights online, offline
Young people and parents everywhere should know that, where youth rights are concerned, Europe just took a big step backward. Even though every single one of the European Union's 28 countries has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, whose Article 12 states that "children" (people under 18) have the right to express their views in all matters affecting them, a European agreement … [Read more...] about Europe’s big step backward for youth rights online, offline
A prosecutor’s good decision in teen sexting case
This is a catch-up blog post bookmarking real progress in the handling of teen sexting in the United States – and unusually good reporting on it from CNN. Thankfully, none of the reported hundreds of middle school and high school students in Cañon City, Col., who were accused of sexting will face criminal charges. That's important because Colorado is one of 30 states whose prosecutors have to rely … [Read more...] about A prosecutor’s good decision in teen sexting case