STOMP Out Bullying

By now, you’ve probably heard of the “Momo Challenge” - the creepy, birdlike female sculpture that allegedly encouraged kids to commit suicide or acts of self-harm via YouTube videos and the internet. This rumor exploded in March 2019, and we wanted to take a moment to let you know that there’s no need to worry: it’s all a complete hoax. What to Know About the Momo Challenge - How Did the Rumor Start? The creepy and unsettling sculpture, which looks like a woman with black stringy hair, bulging eyes, and a bird-like body, was actually created by a Japanese special effects company and displayed as an art piece.  To sum up the Momo Challenge, it supposedly went something like this: individuals (usually teens or kids) communicate with a leader/moderator on WhatsApp (a messaging app that is much more popular overseas than here in the U.S.). This mysterious leader gives the young teen or child a series of tasks that start out relatively mundane (e.g., to watch a movie or listen ...

In light of the horrendous Christchurch shooting in New Zealand, we thought that it would be crucial for us to address the concept of hate speech. News articles say that the shooting was partially motivated by hateful messages online, so it’s clear that getting in front of issues like hate speech, hate crimes, and bullying is becoming increasingly important in order to possibly prevent future horrific crimes like this. But before we can help to prevent hate speech online and in the world, we have to understand what it is and why it’s so dangerous. Here’s what you need to know about hate speech. What is Hate Speech? Hate speech is commonly defined as: speech that attacks a person or a group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, national origin, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. In the U.S., there is a lot of controversy and debatearound hate speech when it comes to the law because the Constitution protects the freedom of spee...

You’d think that the use of a personal device, such as a cell phone or tablet, would mean that you’re in a safe space. No one is physically around to hurt you or make you feel scared, right? Unfortunately, this way of thinking couldn’t be more wrong. Cyberbullying doesn’t just apply to one or two teens - it can happen to any of them. And, in fact, it does. According to a study of students aged 11 to 15 years old by the Cyberbullying Research Center , 34% reported that they had experienced cyberbullying in their lifetimes. As this study was completed in 2015, we can theorize that 3 years later those numbers have grown. So, is cyberbullying the same as bullying? How can we help our teens know what to do when faced with a cyberbullying attack? Here’s what you need to know. What is Cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is when someone repeatedly harasses, mistreats, or makes fun of another person online or while using cell phones or other digital devices. Some examples of this type of h...

Fall 2018 NY Jets and STOMP Out Bullying Event info coming soon. This post Fall 2018 NY Jets and STOMP Out Bullying was featured on STOMP Out Bullying

What is Cybercrime? Cybercrime as defined by Techopedia, is the criminal action in which an Internet-connected device/computer is either the object of crime (eg. remote hacking), or the primary tool used to commit a digital crime (eg. cyberbullying). Cybercriminals seek vulnerable devices in order to steal personally identifiable information (PII): name, date of birth, Social Security numbers, and medical data. This information is especially valuable to cybercriminals, as it can be sold, shared, or used online for malicious purposes. What is Cyberbullying? Cyberbullying is an intentional, aggressive and repeated behavior that involves utilizing digital technology and the Internet to create an imbalance of power or strength. Cyberbullying is Global 3 Reasons why cyberbullying is so common The Internet provides anonymity utilized to post, comment, or harass without consequence Chat rooms, video games, and streaming platforms often go unmonitored for inappropriate conten...

When it comes to social media, it’s no big secret that cyberbullying is prevalent, particularly among teens. It’s too easy for teens to bully and say whatever they want to each other from behind the safety of their usernames and devices. In fact, approximately 34% of the students surveyed by the  Cyberbullying Research Center  have experienced cyberbullying in their lifetimes. However, if your teen is the victim of cyberbullying on social media, there’s a better way to deal with it than by confronting the other teens and making the situation worse.  On November 7th of this year,  STOMP Out Bullying  celebrated our second successful  Block It Out Day  where we encouraged teens (and parents) to block anyone from their social media who is harassing, bullying, and bringing hate and negativity onto their page, messages, or email. This year we reached almost 3 million people! This tells us that people are definitely ready for the hate and discriminatio...

Ross Ellis, the founder and CEO of STOMP Out Bullying , is no stranger to teenage behavior and the role that technology plays. She’s seen it all - amazing choices like that of the girl who decided to go smart phone free for an entire year , as well as how ugly bullying can be and the toll it can take on a teen’s self-esteem. Not to mention, how difficult bullying prevention can be when the bullying is happening in cyberspace. Recently, a new comprehensive study by PEW Research on the effects of social media and technology on teenagers has been published. Here is a breakdown of some of the most important statistics to note based on expert opinions from Ross Ellis. Plus, she shares what parents can do to take charge with their teen in the digital world. What’s Happening to Teens in 2018 Because of Social Media? Teens are online “almost constantly”. According to the study, 95% of teens in 2018 own a smartphone and 45% of teens say they are online “almost constantly”. For anyone ...

    STOMP Out Bullying™ is the leading national nonprofit dedicated to changing the culture for all students. We call on the nation to support our mission by raising awareness around world to develop a society focused on kindness, diversity and inclusivity. On the first Monday of every October, STOMP Out Bullying goes Blue for World Day of Bullying Prevention™ ! Going Blue take place throughout the month of October to observe National Bullying Prevention Awareness Month . “We have always been an organization dedicated to spreading kindness and preventing bullying and cyberbullying. However, this year, we were driven more than ever to help communities, youth, students and society realize that what we really need is to change the culture from one of cruelty to one of civility,” said Ross Ellis, CEO and Founder of STOMP Out Bullying™. “This October, we mark 13 years as an organization. I never want to see another child in pain,” added Ms. Ellis.  “And I nev...

STOMP Out Bullying Lights the Country and Beyond BLUE Monday October first, 10.1.18 for World Day Of Bullying Prevention This post STOMP Out Bullying Lights the Country and Beyond BLUE was featured on STOMP Out Bullying

    Did you know that every 100 minutes, a teen commits suicide ? And while September is National Suicide Prevention Month, the resources and attention must never stop. Suicide prevention should always be top of mind, particularly where it concerns kids and teens. As Whitney Dwire, from STOMP Out Bullying , said earlier this month on World Suicide Prevention Day, “Suicide prevention is everybody’s business!” There are all kinds of ways to be a part of the solution. Here are a few ways you can help save a life all year long. 3 Key Steps for Suicide Prevention: Be Part of the Solution Know the Warning Signs & Risk Factors According to the Samaritans NYC , suicide is the third leading cause of death of teenagers. In addition, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide affects all youth, but some groups are at higher risk than others. Boys are more likely than girls to die from suicide. Of the reported suicides in the 10 to 24 age grou...

    This time of year, kids are heading back to school after summer break - and they might be in need of some new devices. Smart phones, laptops, e-readers, and tablets are commonplace in school and at home. If your kid or teen is a new user of digital devices, then one of the most important things you can do as a parent is to teach them about safety. At STOMP Out Bullying , we believe that becoming educated about the digital world and sharing that information with your kids is the best way to help them navigate the internet. After all, the best tablet for kids is one that they can use safely and appropriately. Here are a few tips for helping kids stay safe in the digital space. Digital Tips for Creating the Best Tablet Experience for Kids and Teens Social Media Social media can play a huge role in your kid’s circle of friends, at school, and beyond. Make sure they understand what is okay and what is not okay when it comes to behavior on social media sites. Let them ...

2018 NY Jets-STOMP Out Bullying Educators Symposium On August 24, 2018, the New York Jets and STOMP  O ut Bullying, held the third annual Jets Tackle Bullying Educators Symposium presented by Municipal Credit Union on August 24th. More than 250 educators along with parents from across the tri-state area attended the trailblazing event at MetLife Stadium. Hosted by Alice Gainer, CBS 2’sanchor, the symposium will include a keynote address from bullying expert James Budzilek. A panel discussion that focused on cyberbullying and small group best practice discussions were held. The interactive panel was moderated by James Budzilek and included Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of STOMP  O ut Bullying; Dr. Jeff Gardere, Board Certified Clinical Psychologist and Assistant Professor at Touro College; Ira Levy, attorney and Board member, STOMP Out Bullying, Anthony Harmon of the United Federation of Teachers and football legend Tony Richardson. “We are very proud of our anti-...

  These days, bullying is no longer limited to face-to-face interactions. With the explosion of social media, emailing, and texting, the opportunity for bullying has expanded and become sneakier than ever. In order to better help your child or teen handle this new age of bullying, you need to know the different types (and what they look like). Here are 5 unique types of bullying that you need to know about. 5 Types of Bullying All Parents Should Know About Physical bullying This is what many people envision when they hear the word bullying: a child or teen being physically attacked in some way. Some examples include punching, kicking, shoving, pinching, and other such attacks. This type is often the easiest to identify if witnessed in the act. However, many bullies find ways to harass their victims in secret which is compounded by the fact that the victim is too frightened or too embarrassed to come forward, so keep this in mind. Verbal bullying Verbal bullies use abusi...

  There is a lot of focus in the media and online around bullying and cyberbullying. While there are several methods for helping your kids stand up to bullying , what about teaching kids and teens how to include others and foster genuine friendship? By shifting the focus to learning how to get along with others, form relationships, and be a good friend in return, you’ll actually help your child be healthier in the long run. Improve Your Child’s Health by Promoting Inclusion and Friendship Bullying and cyberbullying can have vastly negative effects on kids and teens, both mentally and physically. However, inclusion and friendship can have extremely positive effects on kids and teens lives and their mental states. Making friends is a social skill that is important, not for popularity purposes, but purely because friendship can provide many benefits. Health Benefits of Having Friends According to the Mayo Clinic , these benefits include: Improved sense of belonging and purp...

Ross Ellis Speaks About Bullying at Greenwich Film Festival Ross Ellis Speaks About Bullying at Greenwich Film Festival This post Ross Ellis Speaks About Bullying at Greenwich Film Festival was featured on STOMP Out Bullying

    In 2015, it was estimated that teenagers would spend approximately 9 hours a day on social media sites. This is a staggering amount of time - and it also means that it’s extra important for parents to begin, and maintain, a dialogue about what’s safe and acceptable behavior on the internet. In fact, this dialogue should begin at an early age. We are living in a digitally-motivated world and there’s no indication that is slowing any time soon. Therefore, it’s time to ensure we prepare our kids and teens as best as we can to face the potential dangers, as well as the potential for cyberbullying. It’s critical to raise responsible digital citizens. How Early Discussion Can Help Fight Cyberbullying Unfortunately, you may not be able to prevent bullying or cyberbullying entirely, but you can take steps to help educate your tween or teen on how to respond to online harassment. Alternatively, you can also help to show them what appropriate behavior is and help them under...

Culture Shock Event Celebrities Call on Students to Shock the Culture of Cruelty and Eliminate Hate, Discrimination & Bullying STOMP Out Bullying hosted Culture Shock, a livestream event to schools across the country and beyond with celebrities Nick Cannon, Logan Browning, J.J. Totah, and Sarah McBride. Culture Shock served as the launch event for National Culture Week, a new annual campaign to authentically engage young people, encourage them to take a hard look at society today and commit to ending hatred, discrimination and bullying. Guests a the event included students from Albert Leonard Middle School and High School of Fashion Industries and sponsors the New York Jets, MCU and the Manhattan Center. “I’m truly excited with the launch of National Culture Week, said Ross Ellis, Founder and CEO of STOMP Out Bullying. “Over the last several years, I’ve been deeply troubled by the rise in hate and discrimination across the country and we decided that we were ...

    Seena Brown is 14 years old and a freshman at a public high school near Los Angeles. Unfortunately, she has been dealing with bullying in schools in a big, and very real, way. She had been verbally and physically bullied and stalked for some time. Her bullies even told her to kill herself. At 10 years old, she felt suicidal. Luckily she got into therapy -- skill therapy, one on one, educational therapy. She learned that she didn’t care about these people anymore. She got strong and she started doing much better. Yet she had another demon. Her digital obsession. Like many people her age, she has become addicted to social media. She loves Kendall, Kylie, Gigi and Bella and tried to measure up to their Instagram pictures on a daily basis. However, this behavior and constant comparison made her feel stressed, obsessed and depressed. She was obsessed with YouTuber @GraysonDolan and admitted, “He doesn’t even know me!” She ended up unfollowing and un-liking him to...

New York, NY, February 21, 2018 … STOMP Out Bullying is profoundly saddened and deeply distraught over the school shooting on February 14th at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen people were killed, when a school shooter identified as Nikolas Cruz opened fire on his former school. At least 14 others were  wounded. Cruz is in c ustody and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. Going to school should be a time for America’s youth to learn, grow, make new friends and aspire both in their future careers and personal lives. Educators train to teach and mold the minds of our students. Since the shooting, students and activists across the country have called on their peers to demand action. To  date, this has culminated in two planned events: the National School Walkout on March 14 and the March for Our Lives on March 24. The theme of both events: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ! Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of...

New York, NY, February 21, 2018 … STOMP Out Bullying is profoundly saddened and deeply distraught over the school shooting on February 14th at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen people were killed, when a school shooter identified as Nikolas Cruz opened fire on his former school. At least 14 others were  wounded. Cruz is in c ustody and charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. Going to school should be a time for America’s youth to learn, grow, make new friends and aspire both in their future careers and personal lives. Educators train to teach and mold the minds of our students. Since the shooting, students and activists across the country have called on their peers to demand action. To  date, this has culminated in two planned events: the National School Walkout on March 14 and the March for Our Lives on March 24. The theme of both events: ENOUGH IS ENOUGH ! Ross Ellis, founder and CEO of...