Tuesday, January 19, 2010

New Cyberbullying Book Helps Teens “Think Before They Click”

How can teens know when their online actions cross the line—or go as far as illegal activity? TEEN CYBERBULLYING INVESTIGATED by Judge Tom Jacobs provides an inside, in-depth look at the current cyberbullying epidemic.

Minneapolis, MN (Vocus/PRWEB ) January 19, 2010 -- The explosion of the Internet has given rise to endless new ways for teens to threaten, harass, abuse, insult, and bully others—or to be bullied themselves. With the click of a button, or touch of a screen, a photo, video, or conversation can be shared with a few people in an email or a text . . . or broadcast to millions on a Web site. Cyberbullying has become a frightening and sad reality.

Teen Cyberbullying Investigated by Judge Tom Jacobs
Teen Cyberbullying Investigated by Judge Tom Jacobs
TEEN CYBERBULLYING INVESTIGATED (Free Spirit Publishing, $15.99) presents real cases of tweens and teens who were harassed or caught harassing others online, on camera, in a text, or using a cell phone.

Our Web-based culture has transformed the way many young people communicate, learn, socialize, and stay informed: more than 90% of teens are online, more than half of them have profiles on social networking sites, and roughly four out of five carry cell phones. But just what is cyberbullying? In part, it includes:

 
  • Sending insulting or threatening emails, texts, or instant messages directly to someone using a computer, cell phone, or other e-communication device.
  • Spreading hateful comments about someone through emails, blogs, online profiles, or chat rooms.
  • Stealing passwords and sending out threatening messages using a false identity.
  • Building a Web site to target specific groups or people.

In TEEN CYBERBULLYING INVESTIGATED, Judge Jacobs shares a wealth of knowledge, ideas, suggestions, and expert opinions honed from his years as a juvenile court judge, law professor, and author. This informative guide will help young people understand what cyberbullying is, recognize when they may be its victims or perpetrators, and learn tactics for being legal online.

Knowing that adolescents have the smarts to carefully consider their actions, Judge Jacobs puts these thought-provoking questions to them directly. “What does it mean to be a good citizen in our e-world? Have you thought about the implications of cyberbullying, or downloading sexually suggestive photos, or faking your personal profile to fool others? Think about these ethical issues while reading the cases in this book. If the teens featured in this book had considered questions of cyberethics, might they have acted differently?” TEEN CYBERBULLYING INVESTIGATED has the answers that can help cyberbullying become a thing of the past.
      
Praise for Teen Cyberbullying Investigated:

“Every teen who has a cell phone or goes online should read this book. It’s as suspenseful as Harry Potter and as scary as Twilight, but these stories are real.”
—Mary Beth Tinker, former plaintiff in the famous student free speech case Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (U.S. Supreme Court, 1969)

“Should be required reading for school administrators, teachers, parents, and young people when exploring the vast and still uncharted territory of the Internet.”
—Ian Zack, Executive Editor, The New York Times Upfront

CONTACT: Jenni Bowring, bowring(at)freespirit.com

Web site: www.freespirit.com

About the Author

Thomas A. Jacobs, J.D., was an Arizona Assistant Attorney General from 1972–1985, where he practiced criminal and child welfare law. He was appointed to the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1985, where he served as a judge pro tem and commissioner in the juvenile and family courts until his retirement in 2008. He also taught juvenile law for 10 years as an adjunct professor at the Arizona State University School of Social Work. He continues to write for teens, lawyers, and judges, and he is the author of WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS? (UPDATED EDITION), THEY BROKE THE LAW—YOU BE THE JUDGE, and TEENS TAKE IT TO COURT.

Visit his Web site, Askthejudge.info, for free interactive educational tools that provide current information regarding laws, court decisions, and national news affecting teens. It’s the only site of its kind to provide legal questions and answers for teens and parents with the unique ability to interact with Judge Jacobs and other teens.

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