What is Bullying?

Understand exactly what bullying is, and what it is not.

What is Cyberbullying?

Provides our well-cited definition of cyberbullying so you know how to spot it.

Cyberbullying Statistics

How much are kids being cyberbullied, and in what ways?

Cyberbullying Keynotes & Workshops

Cyberbullying keynotes and workshops to equip and empower educators are here.

Cyberbullying Student Presentations & Assemblies

Our compelling, relevant bullying and cyberbullying assemblies for students.

Cyberbullying Parent and Community Presentations

Sessions for parents and community members to help them keep kids safe, supported, and thriving online.

Cyberbullying Resources for Educators

Educators, here are numerous free PDF tip sheets, activities, and strategies to reduce tech misuse and promote its positive use.

Cyberbullying Resources for Parents

Parents, promote the positive use of technology with these free PDF resources.

Cyberbullying Resources for Youth

Students, here are resources to keep your online experience safe and fun.

Cyberbullying Stories

Read the experiences of those targeted online, in their own words.

Most Popular Social Media Apps

Description, history, user count, and age restrictions for any social media app you can think of.

Report Cyberbullying

Need cyberbullying help? Here's the contact info of every site, app, and gaming platform.

Bullying & Cyberbullying Laws

Need to know the bullying and cyberbullying laws in your state?

Bullying & Cyberbullying Policies In Your State

Know what to include in your school or organizational policy.

Cyberbullying Research by Country

An interactive map of cyberbullying research done in different countries of the world.

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Upcoming Events

Event Information:

  • Sex Offenders and Social Networking Sites: Show me the Research!

    As anticipated, the Final Report released yesterday by Berkman Center's Internet Safety Technical Task Force summarizing the state of knowledge concerning child safety online has come under fire by some state Attorneys General and others with an interest in advancing public fear about the risks inherent in online social networking.  In my view, much of the criticism is misguided and in some cases even inflammatory.

    As I pointed out in my post yesterday, Sameer and I were on the Research Advisory Board and involved in assisting with the review of much of the research that was featured in the Final Report.  Our primary area of expertise is cyberbullying, and the Report rightly acknowledged this to be one of the chief threats posed to adolescents who utilize technology.  That does not mean, however, that other risks do not exist.

    As expected, one of the primary criticisms of the Report is that it seems to underplay the apparent risks to children with respect to contact with sexual predators.  The state Attorneys General have a very specific perspective in that they unfortunately have to confront these types of cases on a regular basis and therefore perceive it to be a pervasive problem.  But that is akin to me saying that cyberbullying is a universal problem just because the vast majority of folks who contact me have been victimized by a cyberbully.  As a researcher, I have to step back and take an objective assessment of the problem by conducting thoughtful and methodologically sound empirical research.  While the research concerning cyberbullying is growing and improving, we just do not have any reputable research that can adequately elucidate the problem of sexual predators contacting and victimizing adolescents on social networking web sites.

    In fact, we really have no idea how many sexual “predators” are online or any particular web site.  The information released last year pointed to nearly 29,000 registered sex offenders that were removed from MySpace.  First of all, as everyone knows, these numbers only include the ones who used their real names or registered email addresses (only the “dumb ones” as Kentucky AG Jack Conway noted).  Second, just because someone is a registered sex offender, doesn’t mean that person is a “predator.”  A number of people have been added to the registry for engaging in consensual sex – not necessarily predatory assaultive acts.  But this isn’t the point.  The point is that we just don’t know the extent to which sexual predators are a problem on social networking web sites.  We don’t have the research.

    How many registered sex offenders visit public malls or city parks every day?  How many of those offenders observe or interact with our children?  We have no idea.  Clearly we don’t want them there, though.  Should we then legislate that malls and municipalities be responsible for identifying these individuals and finding a way to keep them out?  The obvious challenges associated with this demand are equally as applicable when trying to keep “bad people” off of social networking web sites and away from online youth.

    The fact that registered sex offenders are on social networking web sites is not the issue in my view.  The reality is that there is no viable way to keep them off.  They can lie about their names and the social networking sites would have no way to identify them.  Companies are working on identity verification software and hardware, but we aren’t there yet.  And even if we were, I’m skeptical that this would be a foolproof remedy as all technological “solutions” are susceptible to circumvention.

    A better approach would be to teach the users of those sites (and visitors of malls and parks) how to be safe and responsible so that they are able to protect themselves from anyone with ill intent.  Parents need to talk with their children about Internet safety and responsibility and follow-up to make sure they are abiding by appropriate standards.  Educators need to teach students about these things as well so that youth receive a consistent message from the meaningful adults in their lives.  Law enforcement officials need to be proactive in identifying and arresting people who are engaged in illegal behavior while online.  Finally, researchers need to more thoroughly study this and other problems associated with teens and technology so that informed decisions can be made about effective policies and practices.  We are all in this together.

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Testimonials

With his clear, calm, and compassionate approach, Dr. Sameer Hinduja takes the fear out of cyberbullying and social media use. His family-oriented presentation is exactly what parents, caregivers, and educators need in today's fast-paced, digital world. The best discussion of the subject we have ever seen!

Charlene Margot, MA, Co-Founder and CEO
The Parent Venture

I was interested in bringing Sameer Hinduja to our school after I heard a colleague rave about him. I spoke to my administration who supported bringing Dr. Hinduja to speak to our 5th graders, middle and upper school students and parents. He visited our campus for two days and spoke about social media and cyber bullying in a compassionate and inspirational manner. The students were engaged, laughing as he was able to connect with each age group, and they took away thought provoking questions about who they are and who they want to be. I cannot say enough positive comments about Sameer Hinduja. One 7th grade student commented, “he was the best speaker so far.” A parent stated, “I am SO grateful that you brought him, it is such an important and timely topic.” Dr. Hinduja combined real life scenarios, research, and humor effortlessly. He even presented his own Tik-Tok that he made. I highly recommend Dr. Hinduja to speak to audiences of all ages. He is not only a presenter that will capture your attention but a warm, sensitive, and compassionate human being who I hope to stay in touch with.

Lauri Kassewitz, LMHC, Middle School Counselor
Miami Country Day School

We have worked with The Cyberbullying Research Center for over five years, specifically with Justin Patchin and Sameer Hinduja. The information that they provide to our students is always relevant to their lives. Sameer presented the cyber-safety material this year in a way that students can understand and apply it. He maintains a tone of importance and seriousness in the message that relays to them the responsibility they assume while on social media, yet it is not in language or tone that implies blame, nor does it resemble lecture. Our teachers reported that students were really focused and enjoyed the presentation. The material from The Cyberbullying Research Center is alway fresh and discusses the most recent apps and devices that our 2021, pandemic students are using to communicate. We will call upon Sameer and Justin in the future.

Heidi Foley, Principal
Academy of Holy Angels, Minneapolis, MN

Dr. Hinduja delivered smart, informative, compelling presentations that gave the audiences much to consider. Each presentation was tailored to the particular perspective of middle school students, high school students, and parents; they definitely hit the mark. Additionally, as a faith-based school, I appreciated the spiritual grounding Sameer was able to share with students. Highly recommended!

Christopher Keavy, President, St. John Paul II School
St. John Paul II School, Hyannis, MA

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