ONE IN FOUR TEENAGERS PARTICIPATES
IN CYBERBULLYING AND ABOUT SIX PERCENT OF TEENS BULLY
OTHERS ONLINE FREQUENTLY
~ During Crime Prevention
Month in October, New Campaign Encourages Public To
Develop Creative And Effective Cyberbullying Prevention
Messages ~
October 2007
October was designated Crime
Prevention Month in 1984 by the National Crime Prevention
Council. The month-long celebration spotlights successful
crime prevention efforts on the local, state, and national
levels. The efforts throughout the month generate enthusiasm
for prevention so it can grow stronger and become more
widespread.
Last year more than 23 million
people were victims of personal and property crimes,
at a cost of more than $400 billion a year. Citizen
involvement in crime prevention plays a vital role in
helping communities stay safe. Crime prevention is a
collaborative effort that requires the cooperation of
citizens, civic groups, law enforcement, the business
community, faith-based groups, and all levels of government.
Prevention is the key and
it works. Crime is costly. Well-designed prevention
efforts are much, much less expensive than dealing with
crime. Prevention also helps strengthen the community
and build connection. It requires the cooperation of
citizens, civic groups, and law enforcement, and, frequently,
the business community, faith-based groups, and all
levels of government.
One new area that has gained
widespread attention recently is cyberbullying. New
research suggests one in four teenagers participates
in cyberbullying and about six percent of teens bully
others online frequently. Parents, teachers, and the
news media have come to better understand this emerging
issue and now recognize cyberbullying as a serious problem
that can have extraordinarily detrimental effects on
children and teens.
During Crime Prevention Month
in October, the National Crime Prevention Council is
calling on the public to develop creative and effective
cyberbullying prevention messages. Participants can
enter in two different categories, professional or academic
(K-12) and details on both categories are available
at www.sonycreativesoftware.com/news/cyber.asp?keycode=2220.
The winners will be aired on national television next
spring. In addition, Sony will provide a large prize
package, worth up to $25,000. In addition, the 8th National
Conference on Preventing Crime is taking place in Atlanta
from October 2 to 5, 2007.
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