The New Jersey anti-bullying law passed after the suicide death of Tyler Clementi went into effect this week and is "considered the toughest legislation against bullying in the nation," the New York Times reports. This is good news for New Jersey parents of targeted students who have found schools unresponsive but apparently tough news for schools. School officials worry that the legal requirement … [Read more...] about New state anti-bullying law challenges schools
cyberbullying
What is online risk?: Helpful clarity from Europe
To survey 9-to-16-year-olds and their parents in 25 countries, UK-based EU Kids Online came up with questions and definitions that people of all ages and many cultures and languages could understand – bringing a useful sense of definition to youth advocates worldwide. Here are the online "risk factors" about which all the researchers (based throughout Europe) asked their young respondents: Have … [Read more...] about What is online risk?: Helpful clarity from Europe
An appropriately social anti-bullying campaign
I think the very reason why this year's big-media anti-bullying campaign featuring CNN's Anderson Cooper has a much more effective message – "Stop Bullying: Speak Up" – is because a social media partner's involved. Last year, Cooper was host of a TV special report, "Bullying: No Escape," sponsored by Time Inc., CNN, and Cartoon Network, eSchoolNews reports. This year a more positive and … [Read more...] about An appropriately social anti-bullying campaign
A cyberbullying epidemic? No!
Please note: There is no cyberbullying epidemic. Like author and anti-bullying expert Rosalind Wiseman, I can't believe how many times I've been asked about "the epidemic" and what's to be done about it. Rosalind suggests that the epidemic is in bad PSAs and "educational" videos aimed at bullying prevention. I agree, but also suggest that we've been experiencing an epidemic of news coverage of … [Read more...] about A cyberbullying epidemic? No!
LGBT youth & cyberbullying: Study
The Cyberbullying Research Center has added its own data to our growing understanding of bullying related to sexual orientation. The researchers, Profs. Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin, found that 72% of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) students have been targeted by bullying at some point in their lives, compared to 63% of heterosexual students, with an "even more striking" … [Read more...] about LGBT youth & cyberbullying: Study