The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs launched two cyberbullying resources developed by the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre at DCU earlier this month.
Dr James Reilly launched a website for young people affected by bullying along with a guidebook for parents and teachers at the university on 12 February.
Both resources were developed at the National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre in DCU’s School of Education Studies after funding was received from the National Lottery.
Tacklebullying.ie is the first forum of its kind that encourages peer-to-peer conversation as well as providing teenagers with information on the topic of internet safety.
All forum posts will be monitored by professionals and young people will be able to contact moderators directly if needed.
Senior Lecturer in the School of Education Studies, James O’Higgins Norman said, “this online forum arises out of many years of research on bullying and cyberbullying at the Anti-Bullying Centre and signify our commitment to transforming our research into practical resources for those affected by bullying and cyberbullying.”
Understanding Cyberbullying is a guidebook that aims to give parents and teachers a deeper understanding of cyberbullying and the ways to prevent it.
“There is a great urgency to address the growth of cyberbullying among our young people. The book will complement the online forum by helping schools, parents and teachers to better identify, prevent and deal more effectively with the behaviour that constitutes cyberbullying,” said author and Professor in the School of Education Mona O’Moore.
Minister Reilly said that “internet safety and cyberbullying are issues which have resonance across a number of government departments and statutory agencies. In the case of my own department, the anti-bullying agenda has been a recurring element in its consultations with young people and has been addressed in a number of initiatives supported by my department.”
The Anti-Bullying Centre was established in DCU in 1996.
Laura Colgan
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