STOP School Violence Initiative: Improving School Safety through CYBER NOW

• In Event: School Violence and Bullying: Research, Policies, and Ethical Concerns

Abstract

The current research proposes to implement a program that aims to STOP school violence, improve school climate through education, prevention, and training, and provide an opportunity to meaningfully advance equity in violence prevention for communities historically underserved, marginalized, adversely affected by inequality, and disproportionately impacted by crime, violence, and victimization. School violence is a pervasive threat that continues to plague society. As the digital age progresses and social media becomes increasingly intertwined into every facet of modern society, the detrimental impact school violence has on the physical and mental health of adolescent youths increases exponentially. This proposal introduces a novel approach to STOP school violence using an intervention strategy to eliminate its presence within school systems across Central Pennsylvania. Through a dual-purpose lens examining both perpetrator and victim, this project aims to prevent violence by investigating 1) why cyberbullying continues to occur, 2) where environmental factors contribute and influence aggressive adolescent development, 3) what socioeconomic predictors can be used to identify the likelihood of cyberbullying perpetration, and 4) when negative behavioral traits develop. Success of this project will help STOP school violence, and provide environments and communities based on empathy, inclusivity, and understanding.

Authors

• Juyoung Song, Penn State University

• Hakan Can, Penn State University

• Joseph Squillace, Penn State University

• Jeffrey A. Stone, Penn State University