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A panel of experts from education, law enforcement, IT, counseling, and social work will bring their knowledge and expertise to discuss “Cyberbullying: Where Is the Line? What to Do” at 5:30 p.m. Oct. 4 at The College of Saint Rose. Free and open to the public, the event addresses the troubling epidemic of children and teens being mocked, threatened, and victimized through mobile devices and computers.

Approaching the topic from a comprehensive, multidisciplinary perspective, the panelists will explain social media and technology, laws, school procedures, and practices. The audience will learn how to identify and prevent cyberbullying, help young people stand up to cyberbullies, intervene in or report incidents, and build a safer environment.

More than half of adolescents and teens have been bullied online, about the same number have engaged in cyberbullying, and more than one-third have received cyberthreats, according to i-SAFE Inc. Pervasive and affecting all races and genders, cyberbullying erodes victims’ self-esteem and makes young people more likely to consider suicide, according to stopbullying.gov.

Cyberbullies can attack repeatedly – and anonymously – 24 hours a day, and their attacks often go unnoticed by adults. More than half of those who experience cyberbullying never tell an adult: Victims may feel helpless or humiliated, expect retribution from bullies, or fear rejection by their peers.

This community event is for anyone touched by or concerned with the cyberbullying epidemic in social media, messaging, and the Internet.

The speakers, who will answer questions from the audience, include:
Claudia Lingertat-Putnam, professor and chair of the counseling department at The College of Saint Rose
John Montesano, investigator specializing in digital forensics, child exploitation, and undercover chat investigations for the New York State Police Computer Crime Unit
Maureen Rotondi, associate professor and chair of the social work department for The College of Saint Rose
Erin Sheevers, director of technology for the Troy School District

Event details:
What: “Cyberbullying: Where Is the Line? What to Do,” an informational night on how to keep kids safe online
Who: Experts from Saint Rose, New York State Police, and a local school district
Where: Touhey Forum, Thelma P. Lally School of Education, 1009 Madison Ave., Albany
When: Thursday, Oct. 4. 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Ticket information: Free and open to the public. Register on eventbrite.com.