Calling all teen app developers! There’s a great contest to create an app specifically to address one of the biggest challenges in stopping the scourge of cyberbullying, getting bystanders to speak up. We’ve long known that one of the best ways to change a culture is to promote the right behaviors. Psychologists refer to this as social norming. The social norms approach has been used to curtail drinking on university campuses. In effect, by raising awareness of positive behavior, we can reduce the participation levels in negative behavior such as drinking or cyberbullying.
For example, if you only knew what you knew about cyberbullying from the media, you might well believe that the majority of online youth have both experienced online harassment and engage in it. The reality is far different. According to the research team of Sameer Hinduja and Justin Patchin at www.cyberbullying.us, the average rate of cyberbullying victimization in all the credible research projects is about 20% of youth.
Meaning 80% of youth go online without getting attacked or involved in “online drama”. Once you know that, it’s easy to say, “Most kids don’t cyberbully”. And now, you’ve got a behavior for kids to model their own upon.
And that’s where this innovative app contest comes in. Here’s what the folks at ReachOut.com said in an email to me:
Speaking out against cyberbullying takes courage, support... and smart, simple digital tools teens will actually use! To inspire all of the above, ReachOut, with the support of the ESA (Entertainment Software Association Foundation), has launched the National “Don’t Just Stand By” Teen Facebook App Developer Competition. We're inviting young programmers between 13-18 years old to develop a Facebook application that empowers bystanders of cyberbullying to take action.
Through May 25, we'll be accepting entries designed to reach potential bystanders of cyberbullying incidents who are between the ages of 14-24. The goal of each project should be to increase an overall understanding of what cyberbullying is and include a specific call to action for witnesses of online ridicule or harassment. The winner of the competition will receive $2,000 plus five hours of virtual mentorship from an adult programmer matched according to the type of app developed. Second place wins $1,500 and the third place winner gets $500 — both will also be matched with mentors.
Why bystanders? Because research shows cyberbullying occurs most frequently in the presence of bystanders who choose to merely watch the events unfold instead of doing something. According to Pew Internet’s August 2011 Tracking Survey, two-thirds of teens who have witnessed online cruelty have also witnessed others joining in – and 21% say they have also joined in the harassment. To end cyberbullying, these bystanders must be inspired to speak up. Teens must live in the United States to qualify. For more information and to enter go to:
http://us.reachout.com/contest <http://promoshq.wildfireapp.com/website/6/contests/195567?/contest>
So hurry up, developers, and get your "apps" together! May 25th is around the corner so stop bystanding around and get to work!