Harris Interactive’s Trends and Tudes Newsletter Now Available

The latest Harris Interactive® Trends and Tudes newsletter on Cyberbullying has been published online at http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp.

Trends and Tudes is a monthly publication produced by the Harris Interactive Youth and Education Research Practice. It is based on surveys among children, teens, parents, educators, administrators and policy makers and the data assist in better understanding the lives of children, teens and college students.

Cyberbullying is defined as use of the Internet, cell phones, or other technology to send or post text or images intended to hurt or embarrass another person. The information provided for this newsletter was based on an online survey of 824 middle and high school students aged 13 through 17 conducted by Harris Interactive in February 2006 for the National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC).

According to Chris Moessner, Research Director for the Harris Interactive Youth and Education Research Practice, “All that is needed to be a cyberbully is a computer, web access, a text messaging device, an audience and a target. While some teens view this activity as harmless and forward some messages on for a good laugh, many teens are hurt deeply by these actions and feel helpless to stop them. The bully has adapted to the new technology and can take fear and taunting to a global audience.”

Additional downloadable PDF files of Trends and Tudes can also be found by visiting http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/newsletters_k12.asp.