Let's Gang Up on Cyberbullying

The novel design of social network software that can help prevent and manage the growing problem of cyberbullying are discussed.

Abstract

Cyberbullying has emerged as a major problem in recent years, afflicting both children and young adults. Tragic stories in the news about suicides of bullied teens have drawn public attention to the issue, and statistics indicate that its prevalence is growing. A 2006 survey commissioned by the National Crime Prevention Council showed that more than 43 percent of US teens were subjected to cyberbullying at some point in the previous year (www.ncpc.org/ cyberbullying), while a 2008 survey by UCLA researchers reported that nearly three-quarters of teens had been bullied online at least once in the past 12 months (www.safeinyourspace. org/2008juvonengross.pdf). This paper discuss the novel design of social network software that can help prevent and manage the growing problem of cyberbullying.