Sameer and I regularly give presentations to students about the importance of using technology safely and responsibly. Due to time and resource constraints, this is often done in large school assemblies. By themselves, assemblies likely don’t accomplish all that we would hope for in educating young people about these issues, but they can serve as…
In our Glossary below, we define the terms you need to know in the realm of social media, cyberbullying, and online safety, so that you are increasingly informed about technological jargon as you work with the youth under your care. (Apart from the list below, you can also download a distributable PDF of our Social…
I have recently shared the most important considerations for schools planning to host bullying assembly programs according to research. Now, I wanted to turn your attention to bullying and cyberbullying speakers themselves. As you may know from your own experiences, there are fantastic ones out there, but there are also many who leave a lot…
For decades now, schools have been organizing assemblies to address bullying, substance abuse, and a variety of other student issues. Perhaps like me, you remember sitting through them during middle or high school school and – unfortunately – tuning out because you just didn’t feel like you could connect with the speaker. When it came…
Bullying that specifically targets youth and young adults based on their sexual orientation or gender identity/expression has been a problem for decades. The increased utilization of technology among youth (and, well, just about everyone) has resulted in bullying behaviors moving online. As a result, cyberbullying perpetrated against lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth…
This 8-page research brief provides educators, parents, and other youth serving adults information about the nature and extent of digital dating abuse among adolescents and how to best address it.
Our professional lives focus on promoting civility and preventing toxicity online, especially among youth. By intersecting social science with computer science, we have been able to make strides in this area. With regard to artificial intelligence (AI), the overarching goal is to preempt victimization by: identifying (and blocking, banning, or quarantining) the most problematic users…
The relationship between empathy and healthy peer relationships has been studied at length over the years, and research suggests that building empathy can help reduce bullying and cyberbullying while simultaneously promoting tolerance, kindness, and peer respect in student interactions. While many teachers and administrators affirm its importance, they often do not have a toolbox of…
I’ve recently discussed the susceptibility of youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) to be cyberbullied, outlining a number of reasons that contribute to such victimization. When it comes to suggestions as to how we can help these kids, a few things stand out in my mind. First, it is really important to try to understand…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin This regularly updated fact sheet provides a brief overview of the main elements of state sexting laws in the United States. More detailed information can be found here: https://cyberbullying.org/sexting-laws If you are aware of updates to the sexting laws in your state that are not included, please let…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin This Research Summary summarizes the current state of cyberbullying bills and laws across the United States. More detailed information can be found here: https://cyberbullying.org/bullying-laws Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. (2018). State Cyberbullying Laws: A Brief Review of State Cyberbullying Laws and Policies. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved [insert date], from…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here Online videos are where it’s at these days. But dated, archived videos sometimes aren’t as desirable or compelling as live videos – depending on the content…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin While previous studies have identified that school bullying and cyberbullying victimization among adolescents is associated with suicidal thoughts and attempts, no work has measured the severity of bullying incidents and their impact on the youth at school within that context. As such, a survey was distributed to a…
By Justin W. Patchin and Sameer Hinduja Sextortion is the threatened dissemination of explicit, intimate, or embarrassing images of a sexual nature without consent, usually for the purpose of procuring additional images, sexual acts, money, or something else. Despite increased public interest in this behavior, it has yet to be empirically examined among adolescents. The…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin This research summary reviews what is currently known about teen sexting. Research from across the United States is discussed, along with practical solutions for parents, educators, and other adults to prevent and respond to teen sexting. Citation information: Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2018). Sexting – A…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here Educators need to respond to all incidents of cyberbullying. Here are some things you can do: 1. THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATE all incidents so that you can direct…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here There are a number of steps educators can take to prevent cyberbullying. Here are a few examples: 1. FORMALLY ASSESS the extent of the problem within…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here Here are a few ideas for what to do when you are being cyberbullied: 1. TALK ABOUT IT. Tell someone if you’re the target of cyberbullying.…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here There are a number of steps teens can take to prevent cyberbullying. Here are a few examples: 1. EDUCATE YOURSELF. To prevent cyberbullying from occurring you…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here 1. PROTECT THEM. Never, ever give your password (on Instagram, Snapchat, Xbox Live, Fortnite, email, or any similar service) or cell phone unlock code to anyone—even…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here You can be the solution to the cyberbullying problem. Here are a few ideas to get you started: 1. RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. Spend time online to…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here Finding out that your child is being cyberbullied is painful. Here’s what to do: 1. MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD IS (AND FEELS) SAFE. The safety and…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here Sharing pictures with romantic partners is a natural part of any relationship. It’s important, however, that you are doing so safely, responsibly, and appropriately. Exchanging explicit (nude) images is not only illegal…
By Sameer Hinduja and Justin W. Patchin (For a formatted .pdf version of this article for distribution, click on the image above [or click here]). Spanish Translation Available Here Don’t let your social media use negatively affect your life. Follow these simple strategies and avoid problems later! 1. DON’T POST OR SEND ANYTHING YOU WOULD…