Craig Johnson Awards LIPEN Co-directors Roni Benson and Ginger Lieberman,  a Legislative Grant for production and distribution of a Parent Guide to Internet Safety.  The booklet is called, “Safe Kids, Sane Parents: House Rules for Internet Use”.

For further information: info@bullyfrog.com or 516 433-9444

LIPEN’s co-director, Ginger Lieberman discusses the dangers of  cyberbullying.

See the article on NewYorkTimes.com

To the Editor:Re ”Snooping on Your Tech-Savvy Teenagers,” by Michael Winerip(Parenting, Feb. 25)

Mr. Winerip is an excellent essayist and no doubt a responsible parent, but he just doesn’t get it! The whole point of the Internet is that you have left your ”safe place” and there is no such thing as just ”a little dangerous.”The era in which Mr. Winerip grew up in is over. The teenager’s thrill of looking at a Playboy magazine in a friend’s basement is a pale comparison to accessing pornography online. There are more than 100,000 Web sites instructing thousands of pedophiles where to find children. Accessing porn is an open invitation to all of them.Today’s parents need to talk to their children about responsible use of the Internet. While children’s curiosity should be encouraged, they are after all minors, and it is good parenting to keep your children safe.As professional educators and national bullying-prevention experts, we endorse a combination of age-appropriate filtering software and ongoing conversations with your children regarding their activities in cyberspace.Roni E. BensonGinger LiebermanPlainviewThe writers are co-directors of the Long Island Professional Education Network and the Bully Frog Program.

The co-directors of The Bully Frog Program met with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy on January 15th to discuss pending legislation regarding laws regarding violence prevention, including cyberbullying. The Federal government has promised to increase funding for the No Child Left Behind grant. Congresswoman McCarthy is advocating for school based programs on bullying prevention as part of the funding.

1. 160,000 children miss school each day due to being bullied
2. 13 million American children between the ages of 6 and 17 have been cyberbullied.  More than one in 10 tenth graders in NYS will attempt suicide this year.
3. Bullies and victims tend to suffer higher levels of depression and other mental health problems throughout their lives
4. The target of the bullying needs help as well as the bully, who needs to be reclaimed as part of the class, rather than apart from the class
5. We need to change the perception that bullying is part of life
6. Children learn about engaging the silent bystanders who often choose to look the other way
7. It sends a powerful message when students learn to step up and let the bully know that their school does not tolerate bullying
8. The program promotes an attitude change, using a whole school approach-staff, students and parents all working together
9. No education can take place when a child or a teacher is afraid to be in school
10. Without intervention the bullying will not stop

The co-directors of The Bully Frog Program met with Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy on January 15th to discuss pending legislation regarding laws regarding violence prevention, including cyberbullying. The Federal government has promised to increase funding for the No Child Left Behind grant. Congresswoman McCarthy is advocating for school based programs on bullying prevention as part of the funding.