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MARSALI HANCOCK SPEAKS ABOUT CYBERBULLING ON DC PUBLIC SAFETY RADIO SHOW

DC Public Safety radio show host Leonard Sipes invited Marsali Hancock, CEO and President of iKeepSafe, to speak on the show about several media related issues pertaining to children. Sipes and Hancock discussed how individuals can prevent, detect, and appropriately respond to these cyber issues.

“In the world in which we live, the biggest challenge that we face is that technology is constantly changing; There is a constant learning curve,” Hancock said.

Cyberbulling was the main topic of discussion. According to a study by NYU professor Danah Boyd, 2 in 5 parents report that their child has been involved in a cyberbulling incident. 3 in 4 educators also believe cyberbullying to be a very, or somewhat, serious problem in their school.

This “cyber drama” as Boyd refers to it, is not just limited to students—teachers are also at risk. 35% of teachers report that either they, or their colleagues, have been subject to some form of online abuse.

Sipes told the audience about one of his closest friends who has been a victim of cyberbulling, and highlighted the emotional toll that it has taken on his said friend. Cyberbulling is a topic that needs to be addressed; It is a topic that often goes unnoticed.

“Cyberbulling is a frightening topic,” Sipes said.

Equally as serious of an issue, if not more, is suicide. Social media often has an integral role in both  cyberbullying and suicide.

“People emotionally connect with these devices,” Hancock said. “For youth, there is no online and offline, just life.”

Youth often first mention suicidal ideation on social media, and often leave goodbye notes before attempting suicide. Hancock shared a personal story of her nephew and one of his friends. The nephew knew this friend since high school, and one day received one of these goodbye messages from her on Myspace. He wanted to do something, but didn’t know what to do or where to go since he didn’t know her landline or address.

However, there are ways to track people down. Hancock mentioned many resources that are available to the public.

“Individuals need to learn how to report, and respond to these issues,” Hancock said.

Click here to listen to Hancock’s recommendations and to hear to the full audio conversation of the radio show.

Resource Links:

●    iKeepSafe (ikeepsafe.org) To give parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools which empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the Internet.

●    Search.org (http://search.org/programs/hightech/isp/) Since 1969, SEARCH’s primary objective has been to identify and help solve the information management and information sharing challenges of state, local, and tribal justice and public safety agencies confronted with the need to exchange information with other local agencies, state agencies, agencies in other states, or with the federal government. get list where you can get contact info for all ISPs.

●    Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force: (https://www.icactaskforce.org/Pages/Home.aspx) The ICAC Task Force was created to help Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies enhance their investigative responses to offenders who use the Internet, online communication systems, or computer technology to sexually exploit children. The Program is funded by the United States Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention.

Ethan Parry is an intern for the Internet Keep Safe Coalition, an organization that gives parents, educators, and policymakers the information and tools that empower them to teach children the safe and healthy use of technology and the internet.

Categories: Cyberbullying, iKeepSafe News, Online Security

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