Apps don’t bully people, people bully people

www.StandUpToBullying.net 802-362-5448 Scroll Down for information regarding: Tattling vs. Telling: Helping Bystanders of Bullying Determine When to Get Help Apps don’t bully people, people bully people Cyberbullying is bad enough when you know who is doing the bullying - but now new apps are concealing the source Secret, a six-week-old social app, connects people anonymously, but there are fears that it could lead to cyberbullying. Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Mon, Mar 24, 2014, 13:33 First published:Mon, Mar 24, 2014, 12:38 Silicon Valley sometimes feels like high school. It has its alpha types and its outcasts, its bullies and its bullied. That, anyway, is one takeaway from the recent flap over Secret, a six-week-old social app that connects people anonymously. Secret has apparently put the Valley in touch with its inner 10th-grader and become an online schoolyard for all manner of gossips and trolls inside the technology industry. The blowback has been swift. Veronica Belmont, a video host and technology writer, promptly hung up on the app. “Deleted the app Secret,” Belmont wrote in early February. Aaron Durand, a photographer, soon followed. “It’s not me, it’s you,” Durand tweeted a few days later. Many others followed suit. “I don’t need that kind of hate in my life,” one entrepreneur told me. “It’s like high school all over again.” If this is what happens in the temples of American technology, think what will happen when Secret and similar apps hit real high schools and middle schools. Parents, you have been warned. The founders of Secret, Chrys Bader-Wechseler and David Byttow, told me they saw the potential pitfalls and were trying to find ways to prevent cyberbullying over their app before it reached youngsters. They said Secret was supposed to help people, not hurt them. And yet the dangers of these types of apps are clear. Cyberbullying is bad enough when you know who is doing the bullying. It can be even worse when the source is cloaked by design. Last year, nine teenagers’ suicides were linked to bullying onAsk.fm, a website that lets people ask questions and leave comments anonymously. The issue became so severe that Ask.fm hired Mishcon de Reya, a law firm based in London, to conduct an independent review of the site. That, in turn, prompted Ask.fm, which is based in Latvia, to create tools that give users the ability to turn off questions from anonymous users, block unwanted users and report offensive content. Ilja Terebin, chief executive of Ask.fm, said the company was aware of the challenges but that young people needed places to express their views privately. “On one hand, we have to deliver a value for our users, which includes free speech and uninhibited communication,” Terebin said. “On the other hand, we must ensure that the most vulnerable groups of our users receive sound support and protection.” But how can we offer people - adults and teenagers alike - anonymity without encouraging bad behavior? A lot of experiments are underway. A new social app called Facefeed lets people share photos, but it only allows people to discuss the photos in a private message. Shots, a social app for selfies, has left out a comment system altogether. “With comments, kids can be humiliated in front of a large audience,” said John Shahidi, a founder of Shots. Yik Yak, which is similar to Secret and lets people post anonymously to their friends, said last week that it was banning middle and high school students and that it would disable the service around schools. Yik Yak has reportedly been used to taunt students and make bomb threats, raising concern among school authorities. Susan Opferman, the principal of Webb Bridge Middle School in Alpharetta., Ga., recently warned parents in a letter: “Yik Yak posts can be especially vicious and hurtful, since there is no way to trace their source.” To reduce negative comments, Secret has said that it is adding features that detect when people’s names are typed into messages and warn those who would include them to “think before they post.” Users also have the ability to ban those who trash-talk others. “The majority of the content on the app is positive and friendly,” said Bader-Wechseler, who oversees product design at Secret. “We have to be realistic. We’re living in a world that is not a utopia, and we need to make sure we’re taking all the right steps to make sure that the good outweighs the evil.” For now, Bader-Wechseler said, the company is learning what not to do when the app does fall into the hands of children. But it’s unclear if the app has already been infused with the DNA of bullies and those bullied. And, if so, if it’s possible to change that. I asked Terebin at Ask.fm if he had any advice for Secret and other apps that allow anonymous posts. He said these services should build moderating systems and empower users to report bad behavior. “This means that companies must invest in their safety protocols from the very beginning,” Terebin said. Is this happening in your school? 802-362-5448 Now Scheduling for Fall 2014 Student, Staff, Parent Workshops Staff Professional Development Workplace Bullying and Harassment Providing dynamic and practical anti-bullying workshops to students, staff and parents, Mike Dreiblatt teaches realistic bullying prevention strategies and best practices that can be used immediately to STOP bullying. Bullying Prevention PSAs!!! Mike In Action - Youtube Clips!!! Definition of Bullying Verbal Bullying Physical Bullying Types of Bullying Forgive Yourself Bystanders -- The Crowd Bystanders Responsibilities Ways to Stop Bullying How to Respond to a Verbal Bullying Teasing vs. Taunting How Teachers Can Stop Bullying 802-362-5448 BULLYING PREVENTION BOOKS, DVDS, AND POSTERS These bullying prevention resources will help students, parents, teachers and staff  Stand Up, Stand Strong and Stand Together against bullying. Shipping and handling is included on all orders. DVD Books Poster He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. — Martin Luther King, Jr. Tattling vs. Telling: Helping Bystanders of Bullying Determine When to Get Help If a target or a bystander of bullying chooses to talk to a trusted adult about bullying or dangerous behavior they know about, she/he might consider that tattling.  This video shares ideas and scenarios on how a person can determine if talking to an adult is the responsible thing to do to be helpful or just tattling to get someone in trouble. Tattling vs Telling (12) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUXDRBxY3Gs This video is also posted at the PAVE site: http://pavebennington.org/resources/pave-videos-prevent-violence/tattling-vs-telling-12/ PLEASE SHARE AND DISCUSS WITH KIDS. AND POST TO FACEBOOK, TWITTER, ETC. Thanks for supporting PAVE by sharing the videos  PAVE and Steve’s Bully Prevention Strategy Videos: 1.     Bullying Defined (1) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OkJAuL-24o&list=PLHIRJnXJQ8i0f0A3Ya5m7sY-1PtYp8ox1&index=1 2.   Ignoring the Bully (2) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W6FoF1jSPnA&list=PLHIRJnXJQ8i0f0A3Ya5m7sY-1PtYp8ox1&index=2 3.   Walking Away from the Bully (3) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImIINtR0nuU&list=PLHIRJnXJQ8i0f0A3Ya5m7sY-1PtYp8ox1&index=3 4.     Telling the Bully to "Stop" (4) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rlrcds88x5g&list=PLHIRJnXJQ8i0f0A3Ya5m7sY-1PtYp8ox1&index=4 5. Talk to a Trusted Adult (5) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVK_v9CD5h8&list=PLHIRJnXJQ8i0f0A3Ya5m7sY-1PtYp8ox1&index=5 6. Teasing vs. Taunting (6) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8oYrlNijVc&list=PLHIRJnXJQ8i0f0A3Ya5m7sY-1PtYp8ox1&index=6 7. Making Friends (7) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkqmGXaC-Jc 8. Bystanders: Tell the Bully to Stop (8) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Breakstone  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zQ_VMOMMHI 9. Bystanders: Separate the Bully from the Person being Bullied (9) How to Stop Bullying w/ Breakstone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BnJ842nNstE 10.Bystander: Separate the Person Being Bullied Away From the Bully (10) How to Stop Bullying  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NM5ja-eSS4E 11. Bystanders: Report to a Trusted Adult (11) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression w/ Breakstone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIZiR69wcH4 12. Tattling vs Telling (12) How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression with Steve Breakstone http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUXDRBxY3Gs ©2014 www.StandUpToBullying.net | Info@StandUpToBullying.net 802-362-5448 -- 136 Clover Lane Manchester Center Vermont 05255

WDE Anti-Bully Grant

Unsubscribe Forward to a Friend Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here         To ensure delivery, please add mike@balanceeducation.net to your address book. www.StandUpToBullying.net WDE Anti-Bully Grant The Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) is making funds available for the 2012-2013 school year for the purpose of helping schools and districts acquire either programmatically mature/evidence-based anti-bullying programs or innovative programs to make the largest positive impact possible in reducing school bullying. Grant Application 2012 School Safety Initiative Contact Bruce Hayes Bruce.Hayes@wyo.gov  Schedule 2012 - 2013 Bullying Prevention Workshops  info@StandUpToBullying.net 802-362-5448 Mike Dreiblatt is an outstanding national speaker and author who provides dynamic, practical seminars and workshops to students, school staff, administrators, parents and community members.     Using humor and practical strategies, Mike teaches best practices and realistic strategies that can be used immediately. A former teacher, Mike is an expert in bullying and violence prevention, character education, and discipline of students with special needs. See Mike In Action!!! Definition of Bullying Physical Bullying Verbal Bullying Elementary School Types of Bullying High School Types of Bullying Forgive Yourself Bystanders--The Crowd Bystander Responsibilities Ways to Stop Bullying Longer Middle School Presentation Assertive Communication Techniques for Staff Mike's book, How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression, has been recognized as a practical resource to teach character development andreinforce pro-social behavior. Teasing vs. Taunting How to Respond to a Verbal Bully Click Here to Purchase                                                                                                                                  $36.95 (includes S/H)  Lessons and Activities That Teach Empathy, Friendship and Respect Fax POs to 1-802-549-5024 Balance Educational Services 136 Clover Lane Manchester Center, Vt 05255 Book Reviews "This timely book includes perfectly sequenced, content-enriched, practical lessons that will enhance any anti-bullying effort. The student-focused activities will facilitate and maintain learning of important anti-bullying concepts that can never be overemphasized." —Allan L. Beane, Author of The Bully Free Classroom "A practical book packed with the kinds of anti-bullying strategies that teachers, coaches, therapists, and kids regularly request. Every chapter is packed with tips on how to stay physically and emotionally safe when bullying occurs, and children are coached to practice assertive behaviors and avoid the victim role." —Cheryl Dellasega, Author of Mean Girls Grown Up Bullying Prevention Workshops Students, Parents and Staff info@StandUpToBullying.net 802-362-5448 Unsubscribe Forward to a Friend Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here         To ensure delivery, please add mike@balanceeducation.net to your address book.

Harassment, Bullying And Free Expression: Guidelines For Public Schools Seek Middle Ground

Unsubscribe Forward to a Friend Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here         To ensure delivery, please add mike@balanceeducation.net to your address book. www.StandUpToBullying.net Harassment, Bullying And Free Expression: Guidelines For Public Schools Seek Middle Ground Religion News Service  | By Lauren Markoe WASHINGTON (RNS) When Sally tells Jimmy that he's going to hell for believing in a false religion, is that Sally exercising her First Amendment right to free expression, or is that Billy getting bullied? A broad coalition of educators and religious groups -- from the National Association of Evangelicals to the National School Boards Association -- on Tuesday (May 22) endorsed a new pamphlet to help teachers tackle such thorny questions. Authored chiefly by the American Jewish Committee, "Harassment, Bullying and Free Expression: Guidelines for Free and Safe Public Schools," contains 11 pages of advice on balancing school safety and religious freedom. "There are those who believe that we can't have restriction on bullying and protect free speech; Conversely there are those who think that the rules against bullying are so important that they trump any concern for free speech," said Marc Stern, the AJC's chief counsel and lead author of the pamphlet. "The organizations that have joined in these guidelines believe that that's a false choice." Among other groups endorsing the pamphlet: the Muslim Public Affairs Council, the Christian Legal Society, the American Association of School Administrators, the Hindu American Foundation, the Islamic Society of North America, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations. A national conversation on bullying that began about a decade ago has been punctuated in recent years by the highly publicized suicides of harassed gay students, and "Bully," a new documentary on the subject. Now the federal government, 49 states and the District Columbia have anti-bullying policies in place, noted Charles C. Haynes, director of the nonprofit, Washington-based Religious Freedom Education Project/First Amendment Center, which funded the pamphlet. And while cases in which these rights conflict in schools are rare, they do happen. "There have been recently in the news some situations in which anti-bullying policies have been used to punish Christian students for expressing their personal religious beliefs while at school," said Kim Colby, senior counsel of the Christian Legal Society. Colby cited the case of a Fort Worth high school student last year. In German class, Dakota Ary said he believed homosexuality is wrong, and got suspended for it. His teacher had called the comment an instance of possible bullying. Ary's suspension was later reduced. Stern said the pamphlet was not written in reaction to such cases. "Each side to this debate can cite horror stories," Stern said. What the pamphlet hopefully will do, he continued, is give educators a framework to avoid the horror stories, and teach students how to express themselves civilly in a democratic society. The pamphlet can fill a need the judicial system has not, said Francisco M. Negron, general counsel to the National School Boards Association. "It talks about the difference between what constitutes a personal attack, and the expression of an idea," said Negron. The pamphlet is based on current law governing speech rights and public schools. Private schools have far more leeway in regulating student speech. Generally, though, giving students more, not fewer, opportunities to express themselves tends to dampen the most noxious speech, Haynes said. "Most of the time you have problems when schools try to censor the kids from saying anything," he said. "When they're given an opportunity to be civil about their views, and to have a forum that is theirs, in my experience, most students take that very seriously and are very responsible." Some excerpts from the pamphlet: "Words that convey ideas are one thing; words that are used as assault weapons quite another." "Repeatedly bombarding a fellow student with otherwise protected speech, even if it ostensibly conveys an idea, can also constitute harassment." "Schools themselves are free to communicate in a non-coercive way their own views on subjects that generate controversy in the community." Download the Pamphlet Schedule 2012 - 2013 Bullying Prevention Workshops  info@StandUpToBullying.net 802-362-5448 Mike Dreiblatt is an outstanding national speaker and author who provides dynamic, practical seminars and workshops to students, school staff, administrators, parents and community members.     Using humor and practical strategies, Mike teaches best practices and realistic strategies that can be used immediately. A former teacher, Mike is an expert in bullying and violence prevention, character education, and discipline of students with special needs. See Mike In Action!!! Definition of Bullying Physical Bullying Verbal Bullying Elementary School Types of Bullying High School Types of Bullying Forgive Yourself Bystanders--The Crowd Bystander Responsibilities Ways to Stop Bullying Longer Middle School Presentation Assertive Communication Techniques for Staff Mike's book, How to Stop Bullying and Social Aggression, has been recognized as a practical resource to teach character development andreinforce pro-social behavior. Teasing vs. Taunting How to Respond to a Verbal Bully Click Here to Purchase                                                                                                                                  $36.95 (includes S/H)  Lessons and Activities That Teach Empathy, Friendship and Respect Fax POs to 1-802-549-5024 Balance Educational Services 136 Clover Lane Manchester Center, Vt 05255 Book Reviews "This timely book includes perfectly sequenced, content-enriched, practical lessons that will enhance any anti-bullying effort. The student-focused activities will facilitate and maintain learning of important anti-bullying concepts that can never be overemphasized." —Allan L. Beane, Author of The Bully Free Classroom "A practical book packed with the kinds of anti-bullying strategies that teachers, coaches, therapists, and kids regularly request. Every chapter is packed with tips on how to stay physically and emotionally safe when bullying occurs, and children are coached to practice assertive behaviors and avoid the victim role." —Cheryl Dellasega, Author of Mean Girls Grown Up Bullying Prevention Workshops Students, Parents and Staff info@StandUpToBullying.net 802-362-5448 Unsubscribe Forward to a Friend Having trouble viewing this email? Please click here         To ensure delivery, please add mike@balanceeducation.net to your address book.