Workshop at High School Will Tackle Cyber-Bullying

A social networking program for parents as a way to combat cyber-bullying will be held at East Hampton High School next week.

Sal Lifrieri, the president of Protective Countermeasures & Consulting, Inc. and the former Director of Security and Intelligence Operations for New York City’'s Office of Emergency Management during the Giuliani administration, will discuss the challenges facing parents and students during an informational seminar on Dec. 3 at 6 p.m. 

Lifrieri has given presentations in East Hampton in the past. In 2010, he gave a talk at East Hampton High School and at the Montauk School.

During the presentation at the high school, he said students are cyber-bullying each other through texting, instant messaging, online games, website posting, Facebook updates and messaging. He explained that bullying can include death threats, false rumors, rude messages, cruel games and tricking confidences to spread across school. Photos can even be manipulated to appear compromising and sent to hundreds with a quick click on a keyboard.

"Social networking continue to be one of the most widely use form of media/technology in our community. There are many nuances to Facebook, Twitter, etc., that parents are not aware of that their students use," said high school principal Adam Fine. "This program is designed to educate parents, teachers, and students about the ever changing landscape of social networking," he said.

In late September, a 16-year-old East Hampton High School student took his own life. According to interviews his family gave The East Hampton Star, they said he was bullied, though such claims were not substantiated or denied by the school. The district said it considered itself the 'vanguard' when it came to anti-bullying and anti-bias programs.

The event is free and open for parents and students in eighth through twelfth grades. Younger children may attend if parents feel it is appropriate for them, according to a district statement.

Topics at the presentation will include:

• Introduction to Social Networking
• Understanding Social Networking
• Harmful Effects
• Basics to know
• How it is used by criminals, employers, and universities
• How to protect against...

A question and answer session will follow.

The event is preceded by a Principal/Parent brown-bag get-together from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Will you attend this seminar? Tell us why in the comments below.