Read the latest news and brand new pieces on youth, social media, and emerging technologies! We focus on preventing harm and promoting positive online behaviors.

Implications for Society from the Miami Dolphins Bullying Case post thumbnail

Implications for Society from the Miami Dolphins Bullying Case

Over the past few days, reports were released involving Miami Dolphins football player Richie Incognito, accused of obscenely harassing, bullying, and threatening teammate and fellow offensive lineman Jonathan Martin in the locker room, via text and voicemail, and elsewhere. Martin apparently could not take it anymore, and took a personal leave of absence on Monday, […]

Parents, Teach Your Kids to Stand Up, Not Stand By post thumbnail

Parents, Teach Your Kids to Stand Up, Not Stand By

Earlier this month, I had the chance to speak to educators, parents, and students in Montgomery County, Virginia, and worked with Sharon Zuckerwar, an amazing and passionate crusader for character education and active blogger on all things parenting.  Her message is so spot on, and aligns perfectly with our goals with our new book for […]

Parents, Teach Your Kids to Stand Up, Not Stand By post thumbnail

Parents, Teach Your Kids to Stand Up, Not Stand By

Earlier this month, I had the chance to speak to educators, parents, and students in Montgomery County, Virginia, and worked with Sharon Zuckerwar, an amazing and passionate crusader for character education and active blogger on all things parenting.  Her message is so spot on, and aligns perfectly with our goals with our new book for […]

Criminal Charges Filed Against Two Involved in Rebecca Sedwick Suicide post thumbnail

Criminal Charges Filed Against Two Involved in Rebecca Sedwick Suicide

Two girls (a 14 year-old and a 12 year-old) have now been arrested and charged with felony aggravated stalking for their involvement in the bullying of 12 year-old Rebecca Ann Sedwick. Rebecca jumped to her death on September 9th after enduring months of bullying, online and off, from as many as 15 classmates at Crystal […]

Words Wound—For a Long Time post thumbnail

Words Wound—For a Long Time

Bobby recently shared his story with us. He said that he’d been really excited for his first day of fifth grade. On that first day, his teacher assigned classroom seating so she’d know where everyone was. Then she passed around a tablet of paper and told everyone to print their given names. “She strictly specified […]

Teacher shames student in classroom after student bullies teacher on Twitter post thumbnail

Teacher shames student in classroom after student bullies teacher on Twitter

Recently, a female student in Northern Mexico posted very offensive comments about her teacher – Ms. Idalia Hernandez Ramos – on Twitter. These included referring to her as a “whore” and a “bitch,” and defaming her in other hurtful and insulting ways. At best, the behavior is a youthful indiscretion that unfortunately hurts the feelings […]

Does Bullying “Cause” Suicide? post thumbnail

Does Bullying “Cause” Suicide?

The title of Deborah Temkin’s recent Huffington Post article is a simple request: “Stop saying bullying causes suicide.” Her plea is understandable and justified. Sameer and I also cringe when we read the ubiquitous headlines espousing the conventional wisdom proclaiming that “bullying causes suicide.” But what does the research actually say about the nature of this […]

Should Schools Monitor Students’ Social Media Accounts? post thumbnail

Should Schools Monitor Students’ Social Media Accounts?

There has been much discussion over the last few days about whether it is appropriate for schools to actively monitor the social media activities of students (I participated in a HuffPost Live discussion about this issue earlier today). At the center of this recent interest is Glendale Unified School District, which is located in Southern […]