Cyberbullying is a global problem

NEW YORK — More than 10 percent of parents around the world say their child has been cyberbullied and nearly one-fourth know a youngster who has been a victim, according to a new Ipsos/Reuters poll.

And more than three-quarters of people questioned in the global survey thought cyberbullying differed from other types of harassment and warranted special attention and efforts from parents and schools."

The data clearly shows an appetite among global citizens for a targeted response to cyberbullying," said Keren Gottfried, of the global research firm Ipsos, which conducted the poll.

But, she added, whether or not schools live up to this mandate is in the hands of educators.

The online poll of more than 18,000 adults in 24 countries, 6,500 of whom were parents, showed the most widely reported vehicle for cyberbullying was social networking sites likes Facebook, which were cited by 60 percent.

Mobile devices and online chat rooms were a distant second and third, each around 40 percent.

While the report showed that awareness of cyberbullying was relatively high, with two-thirds saying they heard, read or had seen information on the phenomenon, cultural and geographic differences abounded.

In Indonesia, 91 percent said they knew about cyberbullying, in which a child, group of children or younger teen intentionally intimidates, threatens or embarrasses another child or group through the use of information technology such as social media or mobile devices.

Australia followed at 87 percent, while Poland and Sweden trailed slightly behind. But only 29 percent in Saudi Arabia, and 35 percent in Russia, had heard of cyberbullying.

In the United States, where cases of cyberbullying have been widely reported to have been linked to teen-age suicides, the figure was 82 percent.

Gottfried described the survey as the first global study of its kind and a benchmark to where assessments of cyberbullying vary.

"The key to this study is that it measures parental awareness of cyberbullying, not actual rates of the behavior," she said. "While we can't speculate on what actually happens, it is quite possible that the proportion of children actually being cyberbullied is in fact understated, since we are speaking with the parents, not the kids."

In India 32 percent of parents said their child had experienced cyberbullying, followed by 20 percent in Brazil and 18 percent in Canada and Saudi Arabia and 15 percent in the United States.

The highest incidence of people knowing of a child in the community being targeted was in Indonesia, with 53 percent. But only 14 percent there said their child had been cyberbullied — less than in Canada, Brazil, Saudi Arabia and the United States.

Overall, parents in France and Spain reported some of the lowest incidence of cyberbullying either of their own child or one in their community.

Gottfried said that future studies could show whether there was a trend toward greater awareness of cyberbullying, and shed some light on what affects parental awareness.

The complete list of results and countries can be found athttp://www.ipsosglobaladvisor.com/

Parents must be involved

Digital Defense is partnering with the Alamo ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) during National Cyber Security Awareness month to provide community education forums at no cost to the public.

San Antonio, TX (PRWEB) October 12, 2011

Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI), a San Antonio-based corporation and leading provider of Information Security solutions, is partnering with the Alamo ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) during National Cyber Security Awareness month to provide community education forums at no cost to the public. DDI will host two of these informational sessions:

Protecting Yourself Online – Wednesday, October 19th, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

This session is designed to highlight risks associated with online computer use with real world examples and recommendations for testing and resolving computer security issues.

Child Safe – Thursday, October 20th, 5:30 – 6:30 p.m.

A program designed to educate and provide a place that parents can come to learn about protecting themselves and their families from online threats, both as they exist today and where they are going tomorrow.

“With the arrival of National Cyber Security Awareness Month, we thought it would be a great idea to launch educational programs related to computer security at no charge to help educate citizens on how to better protect themselves online,” stated Matt Hajda, president of Alamo ISSA. “These sessions, along with the mentoring of students for the CyberPatriot Competition, all align with our overarching mission to educate and expand the knowledge and skills of ISSA members in information security. We appreciate DDI’s participation in helping to bring further awareness to the importance of information security education.”

Digital Defense CEO and President, Larry Hurtado added, “We are pleased to be a play a role in heightening awareness around cyber security. The October forums align with San Antonio Mayor Julian Castro’s recent proclamation which recognizes National Cyber Security Awareness month and encourages government, research, and business organizations to engage in activities to educate citizens of the importance of implementing proper computer and network security procedures and online safety practices.”

To learn more about the cyber security awareness events, visit the Alamo ISSA website.

About Alamo ISSA Chapter

The Alamo ISSA Chapter of ISSA was founded in 2000 and meets monthly in San Antonio, providing members with education and networking opportunities. Meetings are open to the public, and schedules are available at http://alamo.issa.org.

About ISSA

ISSA, http://www.issa.org, is the largest international professional association for information security professionals. With 10,000 members in 70 countries and a network of 152 chapters, ISSA is dedicated to expanding the knowledge and expertise of information security professionals and the development and evolution of industry practices. Members are consistently recognized as experts on critical issues in the field and are seen as important resources for small businesses, global enterprises, and government organizations.

About Digital Defense

Digital Defense, Inc. (DDI) is a leading provider of security governance, risk management, and compliance (GRC) solutions. Our unique combination of managed, cloud-based services, gives our clients maximum flexibility in the implementation of their security programs. We provide the insight necessary for organizations to protect their critical customer and business information while allowing them to focus on their business, rather than dedicate resources to network security. DDI clients enjoy greater visibility and management insight of their enterprise-wide GRC programs using DDI’s proprietary Software as a Service (SaaS) delivery platforms and assessment tools. For more information about Digital Defense, please visit our web site at http://www.ddifrontline.com or contact us at 888.273.1412.

Reader Contact Information

Digital Defense, Inc., 9000 Tesoro Drive, Suite 100, San Antonio, Texas, 78217

Phone – 210.822.2645, Fax – 210.822.9216

http://www.ddifrontline.com

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Patty Koebele
Digital Defense, Inc.
210.582.6128
Email Information

2,500 people attend Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention's national conference

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — More than 2,500 people will gather this week to discuss juvenile justice, delinquency prevention, and victimization at the Department of Justice's Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) conference, Children's Justice and Safety: Unite, Build, Lead, fromOctober 12-14, 2011, in National Harbor, Md.  

"This conference provides a snapshot of juvenile justice today," said Jeff Slowikowski, OJJDP Acting Administrator.  "During the next three days, we will present the latest research and evaluation findings, examine dominant and emerging issues in children's justice and safety, and develop a vision to meet the challenges that lie ahead."

The conference theme "Unite, Build, Lead" corresponds with the three days of the conference.  Day 1: Unite, focuses on bringing together the many fields of interest in juvenile justice, Day 2: Build, focuses on structuring effective programs for children and youth, and Day 3: Lead, features federal leaders addressing the future of juvenile justice. The conference's workshops will address an array of timely issues, including:

Anti-gang strategies Children's exposure to violence Disproportionate minority contact Emergency planning for juvenile facilities Girls on the margin Family and youth engagement Law enforcement partnerships	Mentoring Protecting and advocating for children Putting research into practice Substance abuse Tribal youth issues Truancy and dropping out Youth in custody

Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, Attorney General Eric Holder, and General Raymond T. Odierno, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army, will deliver remarks about the importance of mentoring the children of military families on Friday, October 14.  Other participating Justice Department officials include Deputy Attorney GeneralJames Cole, Associate Attorney General Thomas Perrelli, and Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson.

Conference speakers include: R. Gil Kerlikowske, Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; Congressmen Chaka Fattah, Christopher S. Murphy, and Robert C. Scott; Elizabeth Smart, advocate and president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation; Ernie Allen, President and CEO of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; Joe Torre, Major League Baseball legend and Chairman of the Board for the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation; and the Rev. Gregory Boyle, Homeboy Industries.

OJJDP supports states and communities in their efforts to develop and implement effective and coordinated prevention and intervention programs and to improve the juvenile justice system so it protects public safety, holds offenders accountable, and provides treatment and rehabilitative services for juveniles and families.  For more information on OJJDP, visit: www.ojjdp.gov.  

The conference agenda is available at: http://www.ojjdp.gov/2011conference/2011ConferenceProgram.pdf.

OJP, headed by Assistant Attorney General Laurie O. Robinson, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. More information about OJP can be found at www.ojp.gov.

SOURCE Department of Justice

If you have an opinion about this please contact your local representatives and make your voice known.  How can our government represent us (the citizens) if they don't know what our opinions are!  Get involved, Stay informed and Interact – It's not only our right as Americans but our responsibility as citizens and parents!

from: Kid Safe

Under a new European Union (EU) edict on toy safety, unsupervised children below the age of eight will no longer be permitted to blow up balloons due to choking hazards, according to Britain’s Daily Telegraph. Balloons and other toys — including magnetic fishing games, toy lipsticks, and recorders — have been added to the expanding catalog of Euro Zone regulations that are further empowering the region’s nanny state government.

The directive’s official guidance reads: "For latex balloons there must be a warning that children under eight years must be supervised and broken balloons should be discarded." Further, the EU’s legislation uplifts restrictions on the loudness of noisy toys, like rattles or musical instruments; likewise, all teddy bears marketed for children under three-years-old must be fully washable, as to prevent spreading of diseases and infections. Critics note that such regulatory authority means the popular "Lots O’ Hugging Bear" will be facing a ban if it does not undergo strict and costly new guidelines.

Despite their decades of entertainment, party toys such as small whistles and magnetic fishing games will be regulated, and possibly banned, because of small parts or dangerous chemicals that are allegedly hazardous to children’s health. Indeed, the popular "paper tongue" whistle blowers, commonly used at birthday parties, are now "unsafe" for all children under the age of 14, due to the possibility of a child swallowing and choking on pieces of the whistle.

An EU official insisted that the government’s safety experts know best, while an EU spokesman asserted that the "safety standards have been agreed by the UK together with the other EU member states in order to prevent every parent’s worst nightmare." Another official stated, "You might say that small children have been blowing up balloons for generations, but not anymore and they will be safer for it."

Frank Furedi, a sociology professor at the renowned University of Kent, signaled that toy safety bans are a burgeoning legislative trend to micro-manage children’s lives, while discounting their right to learn, explore, and develop both socially and independently. "Toys and activities, such as blowing up balloons, are part and parcel of the type of children’s play that helps them become independent and self-reliant," Furedi averred. "These bans diminish the experience, both of having fun and learning, by turning play into a danger zone with rules that stifle life and adventure for children."

Paul Nuttall, who retains a seat on the European Parliament’s consumer safety committee, called the EU’s authority a "kill joy" for children’s well-being. "I would say that this is crackers but [I’m] sure children are banned from using them too. EU party poopers should not be telling families how to blow up balloons," he contended.

But such regulatory power not only robs children of their freedoms, but also the parents of EU children. Must the government circumvent a parent’s authority in protecting their children, critics ask? Is preaching to parents about the dangers of eating marbles really necessary, or for that matter, judicially moral?

Although EU officials have noted that governmental authorities cannot regulate how products are used in the home, the mere act of regulating will manipulate what retail stores are able to supply, as certain products will be lifted from the market due to inflated supply and manufacturing costs. Although not a direct "ban," the aftereffects will surely lead to products being eliminated from the market.

For toy products that remain on the market, opponents suggest that the directive will undoubtedly hike consumer prices, due to new research and development needed to meet regulatory requirements. Suppliers have already warned that they will be increasing prices this Christmas to offset the costs of new tests mandated by the EU legislature. Clive Shelton, an expert on toy safety, asserted, "The new provisions for suppliers to keep detailed technical information about their products are proving to be very challenging" — not to mention, very costly.

from: Kid Safe

In her own words she describes what cyberbullying is all about.

 It's important for parents and kids to be aware of what cyberbullying is all about.  When it's not safe for kids, and what parents need to know to keep their kids safe

These days we spend more of our lives online than ever before and our kids are certainly no exception and Cyberbullying is a Big Problem!

Parents and caregivers hear more and more about the risks our kids are exposed to on the Internet and it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the flood of risks and tips.

One question we get over and over from parents is how to protect their family from cyberbullying. In this two-part series, we'll explain the lingo and give you some tools to arm your kids in cyber-land so you can protect them even when you're not with them.

There are so many terms that refer to online abuses; it can be hard to keep them straight. "Cyberbullying" is harassing or intimidating someone over the Internet through email, instant messaging, social networking sites (Facebook and MySpace) and cell phones. There are several types of cyberbullying:

Flaming and trolling: Sending or posting hostile messages intended to "inflame" the emotions of others.

Happy-slapping: Recording someone being harassed or bullied in a way that usually involves physical abuse, then posting the video online for public viewing.

Identity theft/impersonation: Stealing someone's password and/or hijacking their online accounts to send or post incriminating or humiliating pictures, videos or information.

Photoshopping: Doctoring digital images so that the main subject is placed in a compromising or embarrassing situation.

Physical threats: Sending messages that involve threats to a person's physical safety.

Rumor spreading: Spreading gossip through email, text or social networking sites.

Unfortunately, any time your child is online he or she can be targeted. From social networking sites to online gaming (both via the computer and through a console such as X-Box or PS3), to texting and chat rooms, our kids are spending more time exposed than ever before. However, it's not as scary as it sounds, I promise, particularly if your kids avoid riskier behaviors that can leave them more vulnerable. Recognizing the risks and communicating about how they can protect themselves is the first step to keeping them safe.

Cell phones: A recent study from the Pew Internet & American Life Project (www.pewinternet.org) shows that teens (ages 12-17) use text messaging to communicate with their friends more than email or instant messaging.

"Sexting" is a sexually explicit text or picture message sent by one person to another. According to Pew, only about 4 percent of the teens they surveyed say they have sent sexually suggestive nude or nearly nude images of themselves to someone via text message; however, 15 percent have received one, and older teens are more likely to be the recipient.

Online gaming: Online gaming allows your child to communicate with hundreds (sometimes thousands) of other people inside a giant chat room. The anonymity can provide children with some safeguards — if they don't tell anyone who they are then no one is likely to target them. However, they can leave themselves pretty exposed if they share too much personal information or get too emotionally invested in the game. These games often have a competitive aspect to them, from fighting with other players for in-game items to "killing" other players, sometimes extremely realistically. Bullies may feel empowered to be mean and can go to extreme lengths to follow another player around, mock them, repeatedly "kill" them or spam them with nasty messages.

Social networking, email and instant messaging: Children sometimes forget that what they share or post can be forwarded just as instantly as it was received, setting themselves up as a potential target if they share private information. Some kids intentionally post or share intimate details of their lives because they believe it will help them gain popularity. This can leave them a prime target for a cyberbully.

By keeping informed, using a kidsafe browser, allowing your kids to play educational games about internet safety, and keeping the dialog open between you and your child at all times; are all ways you can help protect your child from the dangers of the internet and hopefully prevent cyberbullying, either as a victim or as a criminal. Check out our report for kids about Cyberbullying

If almost 90% of parents talk to their kids about Internet Safety then how could 40% not be aware of Cyber-bullying at their kids School?  

My answer is that  almost all parents TELL their kids about how to be safe on the internet, but not very many are actually having a dialog with their kids.      Web Watcher is a monitoring software for parents to get reports of what their child is doing on the net in a secret matter – after the fact!  

There is an alternative, Pro-Active way to protect your child on the internet with a different type of browser that doesn't permit a child to go to an inappropriate site or to engage in behaviors that you have not previously approved.  Club TUKI's Browsers are built on an "Include" list where the only sites that children may visit on the internet are ones that have been approved by the parent or included with the browser's some 8,000 websites that were checked out to be appropriate for a child up to the age of 12.  

Parents need to make sure that they are in a regular, constant dialog with their children, not only about internet safety, but with all types of situations that are unsafe or inappropriate.  Children need to learn to respect for themselves and for others off and on the internet, in and out of school, off and on the playground.

As parents, we tend to forget the dialog part and just tell ourselves "I told my children not to go to that website" and go on about their busy day.  It's in the two-way conversations, the listening and the awareness of our own childs' behavior and attitude that will protect our children and send up red flags, so we can help before there is a problem.

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — While 89 percent of parents said they talk to their children about proper Internet safety, 40 percent do not know if cyberbullying is an issue at their child's school, according to findings of Awareness Technologies' new survey of parents using Web Watcher, the leading parental monitoring software.

"Parents do their best to stay involved in their children's lives, but the reality is kids don't always tell them about issues at school or with friends, making it critical for parents to be in the know about who their children are interacting with," said Brad Miller, CEO of Awareness Technologies.

As expected, eighty percent of survey respondents noted that they're most worried about their children participating in sexting and other unacceptable behaviors online and on mobile phones, but surprisingly, only 20 percent responded that cyberbullying is their biggest worry. Online predators were the second highest fear with 55 percent noting that as a top concern.

So do you spy with keyloggers, monitoring software, and other means to secretly find out what your children are engaging in, potentially damaging their trust in you? Or do you let them know ahead of time by stating that you are monitoring their actions to prevent unsafe behaviors and risk them finding ways to get around your monitoring and potentially damaging your trust in your child? Or do you not do anything and just trust your child and your parenting to prevent any damaging or harmful behavior?  

Here at KidSafe.com and CEN , we are interested in your thoughts on this topic as we are constantly trying to improve our technology to keep up with what parents want and need to keep their kids safe online.

MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Aug. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ –

WHAT/WHY:    Parents' back-to-school checklist usually includes getting the new backpack, school supplies, and new clothes, but they shouldn't forget about getting their kids ready for the cyber-schoolyard. Trouble with peers online, an accidentally deleted term paper, or a ruined hard drive are all obstacles kids can run into during the school year. Reviewing cybersecurity basics with kids will help ensure their back-to-school experience goes smoothly. 

First, parents should remind their kids about the risks of cyberbullying, and teach them how to avoid being a participant or a victim. Second, parents can protect their family from malicious websites that target people searching for common back-to-school search terms. And third, families can ensure that they'll always have the computer help they need with a reliable technology assistance service.

•

Cyberbullying. As kids get ready to go back to school, they're also getting ready to re-enter the intense social world they probably tuned out during the summer. As summer ends, parents should take the time to review the dangers of cyberbullying.
•In a 2011 survey of parents conducted by Norton and Impulse Research, nearly one in four parents polled (24 percent) said their child had been involved in a cyberbullying incident
•Nearly three out of four of those parents (68 percent) said their child was the victim of the incident

Remind kids that "real life" etiquette applies in cyberspace and that if they see someone being cyberbullied, they should talk to an adult. For more information on how to protect your child from cyberbullying, as well as other online dangers, check out theNorton Family Online Safety Guide.

•Poisoned back-to-school search terms and inappropriate websites. Searching for back-to-school basics isn't always safe. Cybercriminals monitor trends and calendar events so they'll know what Internet users are most likely to search. Then they create malicious websites that turn up in searches for

the term. When clicked, unsuspecting search engine users are tricked into downloading unwanted malware.  Additionally, kids may run into inappropriate websites when doing research for school.  Parents can use a free, Web-based service such as Norton Online Family to stay in the loop on their kids' online lives. 
•Be prepared for tech troubles. It's 2 a.m., the assignment is due tomorrow and…the document is gone! Tech catastrophes always occur at the worst times. Parents and students can disaster-proof their digital lifestyle withNortonLive Ultimate Help Desk, a personal IT assistance service. Norton is offering a 25 percent student discount untilSept. 30 so students can have peace of mind throughout the year, knowing they'll receive immediate help for PC, network, printer, smartphone and other digital device problems.

Experts are available 24/7, 365 days a year to help students get the most out of their technology, without having to leave the comfort of their own home – or dorm room.Even though this is basically a salse page for Nort

on it is still a great articleabout the Technology checklist that every parent and kid should be aware of .  In addition to paper and pencils, there is just too much technology out their for Kids and a computer is almost an absolute essential.  Unless your child goes to theLibrary to his/her homework on thier computers.

Tips from Norton on getting kids ready for the cyber-schoolyard

Here is Megan's Story. 

We will be providing more information from this successful program that really reaches teens.

Below is an article I found today from an attorney about the prevelance of Cyberbullying.  This obviously a hot topic especially as kids return to school.  What I got

 out of the article is the final statement. 

You can not talk to your kids enough about the responsible use of technology!

For a free e-book on Cyberbullying please click here

 

 

Attorney: Prevalence of cyberbullying increasing

Jerry Guenther/Daily News KAREN HAASE, a lawyer with the Harding & Schultz law firm in Lincoln, takes a break to talk to a reporter during a visit with Chris Uttecht, Wisner-Pilger High School principal. Haase was one of the featured speakers during an in-service Thursday at the school. By JERRY GUENTHER Regional editor WISNER — Twenty years ago, bullying might have meant an elbow to the ribs or getting pushed down on the playground when the teacher wasn’t looking. Now it includes students harassing their peers through messages sent via cell phones or computers, often times away from school grounds and property. Karen Haase of Lincoln, a lawyer whose law firm is dedicated almost exclusively to representing schools in cyberbullying cases, said statistics indicate one in four students between ages 11 and 19 have been the victim of cyberbullying.  The fact that there isn’t immediate and face-to-face communication through cyberspace usually  makes it worse, Haase said, as the bully doesn’t see the pain being caused. Her comments came Thursday during an in-service program for teachers and staff at Wisner-Pilger Public Schools. Haase, a self-described “recovering teacher,” provided several court cases to give guidance to teachers and administrators on how to react to situations.  “The culture has changed from what was acceptable in 1985 to 2011,” she said. One of the recurring areas where problems often occur involve girls in about fifth to eighth grades, she said. “Middle school girls — that’s what I see over and over again,” Haase said. It can be a difficult issue for schools to address. The victim’s parents will contact the school principal and want to know what the school is going to do about it, even if the bullying takes place away from the school during non-school hours and functions, Haase said. At the same time, the bully’s mother can be outraged because she believes the school has done too much to discipline her child, Haase said. There are times when law enforcement and county attorneys need to be brought in, depending on the offense, Haase said. If the parent feels the student poses a physical threat, he or she can always contact law enforcement, she said. There are even situations where students have bullied teachers, Haase said.  The term cyberbullied is used when the victim or bully is a child or teen. The term cyber harassment is used when the victim is an adult, she said. In one Pennsylvania case, a student compared a teacher to Adolf Hitler, did a computer graphic showing the teacher being decapitated and then asked for contributions from other students to hire a hit man. The teacher feared for her life, had to receive counseling and eventually was awarded $500,000 by a jury. When that student was expelled, the student did similar things to the principal, including creating a computer graphic showing a bullet hitting the principal’s head.  The principal also brought a suit against the student and settled out of court, Haase said. A lot of times, students may create pages on social networks that degrade other students. They then will ask other students to press “like” to indicate they agree with it, Haase said. Some county attorneys are getting tired of dealing with these issues and simply will charge everyone involved with making terroristic threats, she said. Sexting also is a problem that is related to cyberbullying, Haase said. Surveys indicate that 48 percent of teens say they have received sexually explicit photos or messages, she said. If a teacher sees cyberbullying or sexting, the teacher should report it to an administrator. Teachers and schools need to document what occurred and how they responded to end it, Haase said. It is not acceptable to simply have the student delete such images or messages and tell them not to do it again, she said.  In addition, teachers and administrators must talk to students about the appropriate use of cell phones and computers, starting in grade school, Haase said. “You can’t talk to students enough about responsible use of technology,” Haase said.     What are your thoughts on the article and what we can do as parents to talk with our kids about this issue – not only as the victims but also the bullies themselves.

 

Here is an article from the Washington Township in New Jersey:

WASHINGTON TWP. — Imagine being a child who dreads going to school every single day. Every morning, just arriving on school grounds is a horror.

They torment you about the shoes you wear, the blemishes on your skin, your hair, your frame. They spread rumors about what goes on in your bedroom, and for every eye that meets yours, you assume he or she has heard.

There are many children who don’t have to imagine. Whether teens or pre-teens now, or adults long over the daily ordeal, victims of bullies’ cruel sport are everywhere.

John Halligan is one of them, only he wasn’t the bullies’ actual prey. He’s the father of 13-year-old Ryan Patrick Halligan, a Vermont boy who took his own life 2003 due to in-person and online bullying.

Halligan’s story made the international media stage, including the Oprah Winfrey Show, Anderson Cooper 360 on CNN, BBC World Radio and other programs. And he’s coming to Gloucester County to tell his story once again Aug. 17, at the 5th annual School Safety and Security Conference on Cyberbullying.

He’ll join the prosecutors of South Jersey’s seven counties and New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow, along with other authorities, educators and, perhaps most importantly, students and parents.

They’re invited to joint the free conference, to be held at Washington Township High School’s TD Bank Performing Arts Center.

Kids and their parents from Gloucester, Salem, Cumberland, Camden, Burlington, Cape May and Atlantic counties are invited to register for the event featuring guest speakers and presentations from law enforcement officials. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at noon.

Participants can pre-register at cyberbullying@co.gloucester.nj.us. Registration should include name, organization if applicable and the number of people attending.

You can also register on site the day of the conference, between 8 and 8:30 a.m., during which time a continental breakfast will be available.

The high school is located at 519 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road.
 

Gloucester County Prosecutor Sean Dalton said the conference’s aim is two-fold.

“The goal is to raise awareness of identifying bully behavior,” Dalton said, “but especially important are the steps being taken to avoid it.”

Those steps include New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights, signed into law by Gov. Chris Christie in January. The law makes mandatory anti-bullying measures in schools that were once merely encouraged.

It requires anti-bullying training for most public school employees, as well as school safety teams that would review complaints. The state would also grade school districts on their bully-fighting efforts, and student bullies themselves could be suspended or expelled.

The conference at Washington Township would focus in part on efforts made to fall in line with the law.

“New Jersey has really formalized the process that ensures notification is made of bullying behavior,” Dalton said.

The prosecutor added that Sgt. Steve LaPorta, who heads the Gloucester County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crimes Unit, will make a presentation on the dangers and tribulations caused by sexting (sending sexually explicit messages or images through cell phone messaging).

LaPorta has made hundreds of presentations throughout the county and other parts of the state on the subject. He’s also taught students, parents and teachers of many other dangers posed to kids through Internet chat rooms and other invasive, easily-attainable forms of technology.

“Sexting is only ‘fun’ until you hit ‘send,’ and then it is out of your control,” LaPorta admonished.

“The results of this action usually last a lifetime, since information placed online never goes away,” he added.

“The child faces several social consequences,” LaPorta continued. “Self-image is compromised, they suffer humiliation from their peers (one may be derided as ‘the kid who takes naked pictures of him/herself’). They also suffer social exclusion, from groups and friends, as well as scholarship opportunities and employment opportunities.”

“The plain, simple fact is, once you send an image you CANNOT get it back,” LaPorta stressed.

That will be part of his message at the conference, which Dalton said will be a good lesson especially for kids from “age 10 through the teen years.

“With the school year fast approaching, we’re looking for a nice turnout of not only teachers and police officers, but also parents and their children,” Dalton said.

Posted on: Friday, 5 August 2011, 05:56 CDT

(Ivanhoe Newswire) — If you've been stalked, bullied, or harassed online, your health could suffer.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, about 850,000 adults are targets of cyberstalking each year. About 20 percent of online stalkers use social networking sites to stalk their victims. Now, new research shows individuals who are stalked or harassed online experience higher levels of stress and trauma than people who are stalked or harassed in person.

"Increasingly, stalkers use modern technology to monitor and torment their victims, and one in four victims report some form of cyberstalking, such as threatening emails or instant messaging," Elizabeth Carll, Ph.D., was quoted as saying.

Researchers say responses to the stress and trauma experienced by the victims may include ongoing stress, anxiety, fear, nightmares, shock and disbelief, feelings of helplessness, hyper-vigilance, changes in eating, and sleeping difficulties.

"It is my observation that the symptoms related to cyberstalking and e-harassment may be more intense than in-person harassment, as the impact is more devastating due to the 24/7 nature of online communication, inability to escape to a safe place, and global access of the information," Carll said.

Dr. Carll also said the same technologies that are used to harass individuals may also be used to intervene and prevent harassment. "Imagine a cell phone application that can tell you if someone threatening you is nearby," Carll said. "That could be life-saving."
In a second study, researchers found 36 percent of students had been cyberbullied at least once in the last year. Students were more likely to be negatively affected by the cyberbullying if it was anonymous and one-sided (such as a blog).

"The results revealed that cyberbullying makes students socially anxious, lonely, frustrated, sad and helpless," YeoJu Chung, Ph.D., of South Korea's Kyungil University, was quoted as saying.

Those who said they obsessed about the cyberbullying were more likely to suffer serious stress. Students who focused on more positive thoughts were able to recover more quickly and cope better. The research also showed students who were cyberbullied by others were more likely to cyber bully themselves.

SOURCE:  119th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association

Source: Ivanhoe Newswire