The Cyberbullying Research Center is dedicated to providing up-to-date information about the nature, extent, causes, and consequences of cyberbullying among adolescents.  Cyberbullying can be defined as “Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.”  It is also known as “cyber bullying,” “electronic bullying,” “e-bullying,” “sms bullying,” “mobile bullying,” “online bullying,” “digital bullying,” or “Internet bullying.” 

This web site serves as a clearinghouse of information concerning the ways adolescents use and misuse technology.  It is intended to be a resource for parents, educators, law enforcement officers, counselors, and others who work with youth.  Here you will find facts, figures, and detailed stories from those who have been directly impacted by online aggression.  In addition, the site includes numerous resources to help you prevent and respond to cyberbullying incidents.

The Cyberbullying Research Center is directed by Dr. Sameer Hinduja (Florida Atlantic University) and Dr. Justin Patchin (University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire).  They have been studying cyberbullying since 2002 and first launched this web site in 2005.  They founded the Center as a means to further their mission of bringing sound research about cyberbullying to those who can benefit most from it. 

Dr. Justin W. Patchin, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center

Dr. Patchin is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.  He received his Ph.D. from Michigan State University.  For more than a decade he has been exploring the intersection of teens and technology, with particular focus on cyberbullying, social networking, and sexting.  He travels around the United States and abroad training educators, counselors, law enforcement officers, parents, and youth on how to prevent and address the consequences of cyberbullying and other misuses of technology.  He has written four books and numerous articles for academic and professional publications. His co-authored book: “Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying” (co-authored with Sameer Hinduja) was named Educator Book of the Year by ForeWord reviews.  His latest book: “School Climate 2.0: Preventing Cyberbullying and Sexting One Classroom at a Time” (also co-authored with Sameer Hinduja) was published in April of 2012.  He has presented at the White House and the FBI Academy, and has appeared on CNN, NPR, and in the New York Times to discuss issues related to teens use and misuse of technology.

http://www.uwec.edu/patchinj/webvitae.htm

Dr. Sameer Hinduja, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center

Dr. Sameer Hinduja is an Associate Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University and Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center. He is a member of the Research Advisory Board for Harvard University's Internet Safety Task Force, and works nationally and internationally with schools, law enforcement, businesses, parents, and adolescents to reduce online victimization and its real-world consequences. His co-authored book: “Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying” was named Educator Book of the Year by ForeWord reviews. His latest book: “School Climate 2.0: Preventing Cyberbullying and Sexting One Classroom at a Time” became available in April, 2012. Dr. Hinduja's interdisciplinary research is also widely published in a number of peer-reviewed academic journals, including Journal of Adolescence, Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, Journal of School Violence, Ethics and Information Technology, CyberPsychology and Behavior, and Security Journal, and featured in hundreds of print and online articles around the world, as well as on radio and TV. He received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Criminal Justice from Michigan State University (focus area: computer crime) and his B.S. in Criminal Justice (minor in legal studies) from the University of Central Florida Honors College. At FAU, he has won both Researcher of the Year and Teacher of the Year, the two highest honors across the university.

http://www.fau.edu/~hinduja/

Together, Dr. Hinduja and Dr. Patchin have written numerous articles and have presented nationally and internationally to educators and students on the topics of cyberbullying and other forms of teen technology misuse. Their research has involved data from over 12,000 middle and high school-aged youth regarding their experiences with cyberbullying. Their work has been featured in many national and international news programs. They are currently partnering with school administrators in a number of different districts to explore the nature of traditional and online victimization among students in their schools. In addition, they have given presentations to tens of thousands of educators, counselors, law enforcement, parents, and youth on how to prevent and address the school-based consequences of cyberbullying. Finally, they have served as an expert witness and consulted with attorneys on cases involving cyberbullying. If you would like more information about the scope of their work or if you would like copies of their published work, please contact them.

Justin W. Patchin, Ph.D.
Department of Political Science
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
PO Box 4004
Eau Claire, WI 54702
patchin@cyberbullying.us