The Township of Union will kick off its Bully-free Zone Cyberbullying Program on March 1st with an educational session on Understanding Cyberbullying. The program will take place at Town Hall, located at 1976 Morris Ave at 6:30 p.m.
“The Bully-Free Zone program aims to educate the public on cyberbullying, and inform them on how to create and engage in digital gathering spaces where people feel safe, respected and part of a community that truly reflects the values of the Township of Union,” said Suzette Cavadas, Mayor.
The event will feature a screening of the documentary “Cyberbullies a Killer Network,” as well as presentations by Dawn Correia, Special State Investigator and Acting Union County Detective; and Jill Hall Student Assistance Counselor, Township of Union Public schools.
The initiative against cyberbully was announced as a part of the Mayor’s address at the Township’s annual reorganization meeting on January 1st.
It is broken into two parts: an educational series about cyberbullying, its effects/identifiers, and digital citizenship; and a certification program for social media pages, groups and forums.
“The fact is that suicide rates among middle school students is on the rise because of bullying, social and academic pressures, and fear and uncertainty about the dangerous world we live in,” Cavadas said. “It’s our job as parents to not only take a stand against bullying in all forms but to also set an example with our own behaviors.”
By asking social media administrators to certify their groups and forums as “Bully-Free,” the Township hopes to not only promote positive and meaningful digital discourse, but also increase engagement on social media by creating a space where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts. The certification program also opens up a direct line of communication with township officials to answer questions and talk with residents about any concerns they may have.
The kick-off event on March 1st is free of charge and open to all residents and their families. Registration is encouraged but not required. To register, please visit: http://www.uniontownship.com/FormCenter/Administrative-Forms-8/Understanding-CyberBullying-88.
For more information on the Bully-Free Zone Cyberbullying Program and Certification, please visit uniontownship.com.