Cyberbullying - Improvements or More Problems?

   In addition to Cyber Security Awareness Month, October was also Cyberbullying Awareness Month.  There were a number of online campaigns to raise awareness on the topic including some high-profile pages on Facebook and Cartoon Network.

   This is an important topic and needs our attention.  I have given many presentations over the years on Internet Safety topics.  This past weekend my wife, a clinical psychologist, and I partnered on a presentation on Bullying and Cyberbullying at our local school district parent fair.  Here are the slides.

   Unfortunately, bullying has been around as long as there have been people.  The internet, social networks and mobile devices supplement have turned "old school" bullying into a 24x7 assault.

Pro-Hero instead of Anti-Bully

   As I mentioned in my post last week, I recently did an Internet Safety and Tech talk for parents of preschoolers.  When I talk about this and related topics, I always talk about bullying and cyberbullying.

   Unfortunately, the concept of bullying has been around through the history of humans.  Interestingly, the term and specific study did not begin until the 1800s.  Of course, bullying is not just something that happens to children in schools.  My friend Denise Moreland discusses workplace bullying and bad management in her book (buy it here) and blog.

   There have been traditional ways parents and schools have tried to deal with bullying.  I'll discuss those below.  I say "tried" because these methods haven't really worked.  There's also been an anti-bullying movement over the past 10-20 years.  Even with all the media attention this gets, that method doesn't work either.

   I've recently learned of a new approach that I think can work!  It's called Pro-Hero.  Check out this great TEDtalk covering the basics.