Dates & Times:
Friday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 16, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Overview:
Parents and teachers have been concerned about bullying among older elementary and middle school students for the past two decades. Bullying has been implicated in teen suicides and in school shootings. Researchers have studied why some children bully, why others become victims, why bystanders do not help the victims or confront the bullies, and what teachers and parents can do to intervene. In recent years, bullying has moved into cyberspace, and is occurring via e-mail, text messages and social networking sites. Similar to face-to-face bullying, cyber-bullying has been blamed for teen depression and suicides, and teachers and parents have wondered about their role in prevention. In this institute will review what is known about the incidence, causes, effects and prevention of bullying and cyber-bullying. We will also explore whether bullying and cyber-bullying are similar or different phenomena. Are the characteristics and motives of bullies, victims and bystanders the same in face-to-face contacts and in cyberspace? Are interventions similar or different in personal and in virtual space? The institute participants will gain a solid understanding of current research on bullying and cyber-bullying and of best preventive practices.

Faculty:
Petra Hesse, PhD
Associate Professor, Human Development, Wheelock College