Cyberbullying News | Research, Reviews, Summaries & Expert Interviews for Educators & Researchers

Next fall, the Cartoon Network will launch an anti-bullying campaign using content in cartoons, public service ads, online curriculum and complimentary programming for parents through CNN.  Although shows like Sesame Street have had anti-bullying messages for years, the Cartoon Network is focused more on middle school students, where statistically, bullying is at its highest. The campaign will focus not on bullies and not on victims, but on empowering bystanders to intervene: over 85% of bullying incidents are witnessed by bystanders, but only 1 in 5 bystanders currently intervenes. However, in a poll by Cartoon Network of kids who regularly watch its programming, among the world’s problems, this is one kids say they can do something about, and are willing to intervene.

Editorial:  Cyberbullying also has “bystanders” — those who read it, laugh and gossip about it, and forward it. Indeed, one of the reasons cyberbullying can be more powerful than direct bullying is the perception by the victim that, due to its widespread distribution, so many “bystanders” have received it. In a recent powerful set of short public service announcement video clips (talent show, afterschool girls’ study group in the kitchen)  by the Ad Council, the message is precisely “Delete cyberbullying, don’t write it, don’t forward it.”  Cyberbullying bystanders also need to be taught to intervene by reporting cyberbullying: In a recent story regarding Alex Moore’s suicide, some “bystander” friends used a Facebook posting to get the message out about the bullying she was suffering at school. Cybermentors and Alert Recallgive bystanders safe places to report cyberbullying and other on-campus bullying.  We applaud Cartoon Network’s efforts, which along with MTV and others are connecting with kids in the places where kids already are.  This is an effort that responds to the concerns voiced by cyberbullying experts that if we are to resolve the problem, we are going to have to engage all stakeholders in a team approach, including polling the most powerful stakeholders — the youth themselves.