A social enterprise providing education and information to protect and enhance the mental health of young people
Cyber Safety expert Susan McLean describes cyber-bulllying in the following terms: "cyber-bullying can be described as any harassment, insults and humiliation that occurs through the electronic mediums such as email, mobile phones, social networking sites, instant messaging programs, chat rooms, web sites and through the playing of online games." What you can do to help [...]
We read the story – about an 11 year old girl in the US, Jessi Slaughter, who received a tirade of threats after posting a video of herself on YouTube. We saw the pictures - the freeze frame of what looked like a traumatised child in her bedroom in floods of tears. On the [...]
25% of students are bullied at school 95% of students are bulled more than once A new study just released by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare has found that there is compelling evidence that young people who indulge in bullying at school go on to participate in further anti-social behaviour as they get [...]
Both the medical and teaching professions are learning more about the damaging effects of ‘sexting’ and cyber bullying. They are also learning how to deal with the impact that new technologies are having on teenagers. Leading experts including Cyber safety expert Susan McLean, adolescent psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg and medical professional Dr Ramesh Manocha have come [...]
Today mobile phones and the internet provide an easy and often anonymous way for kids and teenagers to bully and intimidate each other. The main mode of attack is by circulating hurtful comments, embarrassing photos or video. The virtual world of the internet, SMS, email, instant messaging and chat rooms have replaced the playground and [...]
The emergence of a new website based in America, but very popular with Australian teenagers, is causing great concern among Cyber safety experts. The site FormSpring.Me allows people to leave anonymous messages about other people. Since its inception last November it has gained a following of 12 million members worldwide. Users create accounts which can [...]
Victorian Government to introduce new anti-bullying laws 600 intervention court orders this year against children New laws to focus on mediation 10% of Australian teenagers are victims of cyber-bullying The changes come at a time when more children are taking out intervention orders against other children in an attempt to deal with the growing number [...]
Violence between girls up by 70% 154 cases of girls violence in schools last year School yard fights have always frequented the playground; however the increase in girl fights and the degree of violence between girls is now concerning many experts. The recent incident at Wadalba Community College on the Central Coast, NSW of a [...]
For some time now experts have been warning about the dangers of social network sites and how some teenagers are being manipulated into situations they cannot handle by the people they are chatting to. Studies show that teenagers are often happy to provide their personal information to complete strangers. Many adolescents feel in control of [...]
The National Centre Against Bullying (NCAB) conference held in Melbourne recently made the following recommendations: 1. Early Intervention There is a need to identify early (at pre-school and early primary school), those who may have peer relationship issues and implement appropriate programs. Additional focus is needed on pre-school education to prevent bullying and promote well being. There [...]
