The public discussion about "online reputation" has gotten darker, as "public shaming" appears in more and more headlines. We may think it's tough to be a celebrity, having everything one does – good, bad or anything in between – go viral. But it's even tougher not to be, if you post something negative online. Because when you're not a celebrity, it seems only bad stuff goes viral, not just every … [Read more...] about From public shaming to public compassion
bullying
Social problem data & youth: Cause for celebration
"We should be celebrating young people’s good judgment and self-control — and extolling their parents and teachers," writes David Finkelhor, director of University of New Hampshire's Crimes Against Children Research Center, in a Washington Post article just before Thanksgiving. "They have brought delinquency, truancy, promiscuity, alcohol abuse and suicide down to levels unseen in many cases since … [Read more...] about Social problem data & youth: Cause for celebration
Takeaways from premier US anti-bullying conference
This Thanksgiving week in the US, I'm thankful to have heard the following from two outstanding researchers and a well-known author in the bullying prevention field speaking at the just-ended International Bullying Prevention Association's (IBPA's) annual conference in San Diego: "We don't talk enough about the ecosystem around kids," said educational psychology professor Dorothy Espelage at … [Read more...] about Takeaways from premier US anti-bullying conference
Powerful lessons for preventing bullying & cyberbullying
It's October already, so National Cyber Security Awareness Month (#NCSAM2014) and National Bullying Prevention Month have arrived – offering a good reminder that, in today's increasingly user-driven digital environments, digital safety and security depend on all Net users of all ages. Care and respect for each other's property, privacy, identity, emotional safety and digital security – just about … [Read more...] about Powerful lessons for preventing bullying & cyberbullying
What are we really seeing in the social media fishbowl?
As a society, we're getting closer to the heart of social media safety, which is largely, not entirely, a blend of emotional and social (psychosocial) safety. This thoughtful piece by Prof. Justin Patchin of the Cyberbullying Research Center – "Bullies or Best Friends? The Challenge of Interpreting Interpersonal Relationships" – raises some important questions for parents and school staff as well … [Read more...] about What are we really seeing in the social media fishbowl?