Spring 2008
Regional Meetings
Electronic Aggression

The recent explosion in technology does not come without possible risks

New technology has many potential benefits for both youth and adults. It allows us to regularly communicate with family and friends. It provides opportunities to make rewarding social connections for those who have difficulty developing friendships in traditional social settings or because of limited contact with same-aged peers. In addition, regular Internet access allows us to quickly increase our knowledge on a wide variety of topics.

However, the recent explosion in technology does not come without possible risks. Many youth as well as adults use electronic media to embarrass, harass or threaten their peers. Increasing numbers are becoming victims of this new form of violence. Although many different terms (cyberbullying, Internet harassment, and Internet bullying) have been used to describe this type of violence, electronic aggression is the term that most accurately captures all types of violence that occur electronically. Like traditional forms of youth violence, electronic aggression is associated with emotional distress and conduct problems at school.

Teenagers are using new media technology, including cell phones, pdas, and the Internet to communicate with other people throughout the world. New communication avenues (text messaging, chat rooms, social networking websites like MySpace and Facebook), have allowed youth to easily develop relationships, some with people they have never met in person.

How do we protect these vulnerable populations? What are the guidelines parents can follow to assist them in discussing this issue with their children? What are some of the safety tips for young children as well as teens? Do we truly understand cyberstalking, blogs, social networks and more? As the presenters share their knowledge and skills and provide workshop participants with guidelines for prevention, we will begin the first steps for prevention programming.

ICVP's Semi-Annual

Information & Networking Across Illinois

Typically three hours in length and conducted by ICVP staff and outside trainers, ICVP’s Regional Meetings are held in four regions across the state: Southern, Central, Chicago and Northern. Regional Meetings are held in two rounds a year: once in the spring and once in the summer. Each round of meetings addresses a different violence prevention topic. The meetings are attended by a variety of youth and adults on ICVP’s mailing list, and serve to:

Raise awareness of certain types of violence (e.g. sexual violence) or issues associated with violence (e.g. media violence)
Raise awareness of effective Violence Prevention methods and resources, such as: curricula; programs; experts in the field; educational materials; and methods of prevention such as social emotional learning and peer education/support.
Build violence prevention skills, such as how to develop an environment that promotes healthy and equitable relationships or how to detect and report elder abuse.
Expand violence prevention networks of the participants by providing opportunities for them to learn about one another’s programs and interests.
Build grassroots momentum around violence prevention campaigns such as the effort to pass the Illinois Violence Prevention Act and the Tobacco Funds campaign or generate interest and input on the After-school Initiative.

Through their participation in Regional Meetings, participants have increased their knowledge and skill level, expanded their networks, and joined in on grassroots efforts to prevent violence. We have witnessed changes in violent behaviors (youth deciding not to buy a gun after meeting and speaking with other youth at Regional Meetings) and an expansion in participants’ perspectives through dialogue we generate at the meetings.

Update (as of March 5th)

The following sessions of "Prevention of Electronic Aggression: The School Yard Bully Goes Digital" are FULL. No additional registrations are permitted at this time.

Champaign March 6th
Gurnee March 11th
Chicago March 13th Workshop One (1:00pm - 4:00pm)

Prevention of Electronic Aggression
The School Yard Bully Goes Digital

Workshop goal: The ICVP staff and local experts will share research and knowledge on the emerging public health problem of electronic aggression for professionals, parents, and youth to better understand the need for proactive solutions to electronic aggressoin.

Objectives:

1) Increase participants' knowledge of the scope and definitions of electronic aggression.

2) Identify and develop skills for youth and adults to address electronic aggression through prevention.

3) Differentiate childhood exploitation from electronic aggression.