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Social media taking measures to prevent cyber-bullying

A recent online debate hosted by Juggle.com raised an interesting question on a very poignant issue: should social media do more to prevent cyber-bullying?

And while there were valid contributions to both arguments, 53 per cent of those involved believe social networking sites have an obligation to provide a safe environment.

The emergence of sites such as Facebook and Twitter have given bullies a new forum, stretching the issue from the schoolyards and hallways onto the internet.

The burgeoning online medium is gaining plenty of bullying attention; the State of California expanded its anti-bullying law to social networking sites last week, modifying an existing law that prohibited bullying others on their cell phones and computers. And while social sites appear to facilitate the bullies in their efforts, the big players are doing what they can to fight back.

Facebook

Three days before Canada's third annual Anti-Bullying Day, the social media giant launched a new set of tools aimed at providing support to those who are frequently bullied online.

"Facebook is announcing a new suite of tools to protect users from bullying, foster a stronger sense of community in the social network, and 'create a culture of respect' among Facebook users," explains Jolie O'Dell in a Mashable story. "Facebook's latest changes boil down to two main aspects: an improved safety center with more multimedia resources, and better, more social tools for reporting offensive or bullying content."

A crisis 'chat' service is one of the featured components in Facebook's new anti-bullying roll-out. The program enables troubled users to connect with a crisis counsellor from the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline through Facebook's IM.

The tool also lets users flag their friends' potentially suicidal thoughts, shared via their Facebook accounts, by clicking a specific link next to the comment. Facebook will then send an email to the user who posted the thought, urging the author to click the link for a confidential chat or to call the hotline.

Twitter

This social media platform can't quite provide the services available on Facebook, but a recent blog from The Friendship Circle highlights four great anti-bullying resources who have frequently taken their passionate fight to Twitter.

Dr. Michele Borba (@micheleborba, www.micheleborba.com)

An award-winning author, internationally renowned educator and parenting, child and adolescent expert, Dr. Borba is recognized as one of the most vocal anti-bullying supporters in the Twitterverse. Her anti-bullying proposal: "Ending School Violence and Student Bullying," was signed into California law nearly 10 years ago.

Borba is well known as a commentator on education and bullying for the CNN, Fox, Today Show, Dr. Phil and Dateline. Students and concerned bystanders alike are encouraged to follow her on Twitter.

Tony Bartoli (@stopbullyingtb, www.tonyb4hope.com)

Bartoli was born with a mild-to-moderate case of cerebral palsy and experienced his fair share of bullying when he was young. "As an adult, Bartoli wanted to change how kids with differences, including disabilities, get treated at school, so in 2004 he started traveling across the country to help raise awareness about the seriousness of bullying," shares The Friendship Circle. Tony frequently shares valuable insight via his Twitter account and remains one of the strongest anti-bullying advocates in social media.

STOP BULLYING (@NO2Bullying)

This Twitter account is run by an anonymous 17-year-old girl in New Zealand who is dedicated to fight bullying globally. "Wise behind her years, Stop Bullying gives tips and lessons on how to stop bullying."

Cati Grant (@CatiGrant, www.CatiCares.com)

Grant, a 17-year-old high school senior in San Diego, started caticares.com on her 15th birthday "as a way to reach out to other teens about how important internet safety is and how we can join together to stop cyber bullying." Her latest project is an attempt to unite one million teens against cyber bullying, and you can help her do so by following her Tweets and spreading the word.

(Mashable photo)