ERIE, Pa. -- Bullying is no longer limited to the playground. The Internet, social media and text messages have changed that forever.
Cyberbullying is a growing concern in today’s digital world, affecting nearly one-third of all teenagers. For educators, mental health professionals, psychologists and parents, it’s important to know how to respond to cyberbullying, defined as using information and communication technology to hurt someone else. The Prevention of Aggression Resource Center’s annual conference can help.
“Moving Forward: Creating a Community Response to Cyberbullying” will be held Friday, May 15, at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. This one-day conference will feature national cyberbullying experts who will discuss cutting-edge research, tips on how to identify and recognize cyberbullying and effective ways to respond to it within and outside of a school setting.
The conference will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the college’s Jack Burke Research and Economic Development Center. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and lunch will be provided. For Pennsylvania Psychological Association or Northwest Pennsylvania Psychological Association members, the conference fee is $75. For non-members, the fee is $90, and reduced student rates are also available.
Speakers for the conference include:
- Elizabeth Englander, Ph.D., Bridgewater State University
- Stan Davis, Stop Bullying Now
- Justin Patchin, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Eau Clare
- Jill J. Myers, J.D., Western Illinois University
The Prevention of Aggression Resource Center (PARC) at Penn State Behrend is focused on promoting positive developmental outcomes by providing cutting-edge research, education, training and resources to educators, social service providers, students and parents in the area of bullying prevention and prosocial behavior development.
The conference is co-sponsored by the Pennsylvania Psychological Association (PPA) and the Northwest Pennsylvania Psychological Association, and participants can purchase six continuing education credits if they attend the entire conference. PPA is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists and maintains responsibility for the program. PPA is an approved provider for Act 48 Continuing Professional Education Requirements as mandated by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
For more information or to register, visit behrend.psu.edu/parcconference.