DATE: October 17, 2007

CONTACT: Robin Kowalski, (864) 656-0348 or (864) 915-6758
rkowals@clemson.edu
CONTACT: Susan Limber, (864) 656-6320
slimber@clemson.edu
CONTACT: Patricia Agatston, (770) 655-9744
pagatston@bellsouth.net

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu

EXPERT: Robin Kowalski
EXPERT: Sue Limber

Clemson researchers work to understand, combat cyber bullying in new book

CLEMSON – Bullying has moved to the fast lane of the information superhighway and two Clemson University professors want to bring that speeding to a halt.

Robin KowalskiRobin Kowalski and Susan Limber have written “Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age,” a comprehensive book on understanding and combating cyber-bullying. The book will be published Nov. 14 by Blackwell Publishers and is co-authored with Patricia Walton Agatston, a licensed professional counselor with the Prevention/Intervention Center, a student-assistance program that serves more than 100 schools in the Cobb County School District outside of Atlanta, Ga.

“Technology changes fast, so the research on cyber bullying needs to continue,” said Kowalski, a professor of psychology at Clemson.

Sue LimberThe research has determined cyber bullying is practiced by middle school girls more than boys.

“Males are more direct with their frustration and more likely to participate in face-to-face confrontation,” Kowalski said.

“Cyber Bullying: Bullying in the Digital Age” addresses some major points that parents, teachers and anyone who regularly communicates online needs to know.

“Probably the most effective way to prevent and address cyber bullying is to make sure that parents and educators have an ongoing dialogue with children about it, including expectations for online behavior and what to do if you are cyber bullied or witness someone else being cyber bullied,” said Limber, professor with the Institute on Family and Neighborhood Life at Clemson.

Patti AgaltstonThe book covers three areas of importance to combating cyber bullying.

  • Laws and Policies – According to Kowalski, today’s laws have not kept up with technological advancements. There is no simple answer because cyber bullying can take so many different forms, occurring through e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging, web pages, chat rooms or digital images sent to a cell phone. Although many states have passed laws about the development of school policies on bullying, few have clear policies on cyber bullying.
  • Parents – Parents need to keep computers in a publicly accessed location so Internet use can be monitored. The book addresses how parents can do this without invading the privacy of the children. “Supervision, not snoopervision,” Kowalski calls it.
  • Educators – School officials need to be educated themselves on how to spot various types of cyber bullying and how to address it, prevent it and react to it. Many schools have traditional bullying programs but need to adjust them to recognize cyber bullying.

Book cover“The online world is a huge part of teens' social lives, and without proper adult guidance and supervision, cyber bullying can flourish,” said Agatston. “Parents and educators need to work together to provide positive online experiences for young people. This book will help parents and educators prepare young people for positive interactions with technology.”

“The important point to keep in mind is that we are not as anonymous as we think we are when we go online,” Kowalski said. “We leave cyber footprints behind.”

Visit http://www.cyberbullyhelp.com/ for more information.

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