New York, NY, November 8, 2007 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has launched a nationwide educational initiative to help counter cyberbullying and to protect children from harassing behavior and hate on the Internet.

ADL's anti-bias education staff is engaging with parents, teachers and young people in schools and communities about the real-world problems that can start with simple text messages in the online, virtual world.  As part of this effort, ADL is making available experts in its 30 regional offices for interviews on the harmful impact of cyberbullying on young people, the risks of online harassment, and the disturbing widespread availability of racism and hate on the Net.

ADL's program is designed to:
 
•  Identify the unique features and impact of cyberbullying.
•  Explain how young people should respond when confronted with online harassment.
•  Aid parents and educators in teaching children to use technology safely and responsibly.
•  Explain how racists and bigots exploit technology to spread hate.

ADL's Trickery, Trolling and Threats: Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying was designed by the League's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute as an anti-bias educational tool to help schools develop a comprehensive approach to identify and address cyberbullying.

The initiative was unveiled last week at ADL's annual meeting, where a panel of Internet safety experts discussed "Children at Risk Online: Problems and Solutions." The session included remarks from Harry Valetk, Corporate Privacy Director of MetLife; Stephen Kline, Chief Safety Officer at Xanga.com; and Christopher Wolf, Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP and Chair of ADL's Internet Task Force.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.