Berkman Center

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Final Report: Symposium on Youth Meanness & Cruelty

As part of the official launch of the Born This Way Foundation, The Symposium on Youth Meanness and Cruelty took place at Harvard Law School on February 29th, 2012. Generously supported by the John D. & Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and hosted by the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Symposium brought together experts, researchers, policymakers, foundation representatives, youth, and others to discuss research and findings related to bullying, meanness, and cruelty, while also emphasizing positive concepts like healthy relationships, civic engagement, and digital citizenship. In addition to an introduction to the program overall (Section I), this report provides: high level notes from each of the sessions that took place during the Symposium (Section II), answers generated by Symposium participants in response to four driving questions that framed the discussions (Section III), and the central themes that emerged during the day (Section IV). These sections reflect the collation of immediate takeaways from the Symposium, a synthesis of central themes, and participants' feedback.

authored by john palfrey, danah boyd, published on 29 feb 2012

What You Must Know to Help Combat Youth Bullying, Meanness, and Cruelty

In order to empower youth to create a kinder and braver world, we must begin by making sure that youth are safe. Youth are not safe when they are being bullied, harassed, or threatened.

authored by danah boyd, john palfrey, published on 28 feb 2012

Bullying Prevention 101 for Schools: Dos and Don’ts

This document provides a list of dos and don’ts for schools in developing anti-bullying practices and policies. The purpose of this document is to provide concrete ways in which schools 1) can assess if they’re doing the right things; 2) have tactical recommendations aimed at improving their school culture, curricula, and school policies. Findings are grounded in research findings on actions and activities that have been shown to help schools improve anti-bullying efforts.

authored by susan swearer, mia doces, lisa jones, anne collier, published on 23 feb 2012

Changing the Culture: Ideas for Student Action

The purpose of this document is to provide positive action items that students can take to make their schools and communities healthier places and to challenge meanness and cruelty. It is presented as a list of ideas. While none of these initiatives have been evaluated, they are grounded in a research-driven understanding of interventions, practices, and actions that can be helpful in improving school culture.

authored by anne collier, susan swearer, mia doces, lisa jones, published on 23 feb 2012

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An Overview of State Anti-Bullying Legislation and Other Related Laws

This document provides an overview, as of January 2012, of existing state anti-bullying laws, pending state and federal anti-bullying legislation, and other relevant federal and state laws. It is meant to inform the discussion of legal policy issues around bullying, in particular at the Symposium on Youth Meanness and Cruelty being held at Harvard Law School on February 29, 2012 as part of the Kinder & Braver World Project.

authored by dena sacco, katharine silbaugh, felipe corredor, june casey, davis doherty, published on 22 feb 2012

Berkman Center for Internet & Society

All publications for The Kinder & Braver World Project: Research Series

Final Report: Symposium on Youth Meanness & Cruelty

What You Must Know to Help Combat Youth Bullying, Meanness, and Cruelty

Bullying Prevention 101 for Schools: Dos and Don’ts

Changing the Culture: Ideas for Student Action

An Overview of State Anti-Bullying Legislation and Other Related Laws