Thanks to advancing technology, everything from learning and content sharing to communication and entertainment is more accessible than ever. However, this also means it takes much less effort to find someone and bully them over the internet. This issue, dubbed Cyber Bullying, is something that health experts are trying to combat. In particular, the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is tackling the problem head-on.
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is part of the Saint Barnabas Corporation. In fact, it was first established in 1996. The organization provides quality care to people all around Essex County. As a part of the Newark community, the hospital is also a significant employer of many local citizens.
The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Takes A Stand Against Cyber Bullying
To discuss the topic of cyber bullying, Steve Adubato, PhD., spoke with Marsha Atkind. Atkind is the Executive Director and CEO of the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey. Filming on-location at the foundation for an episode of One-on-One with Steve Adubato, the two examined bullying between youth and teens, the prevalence of cyber bullying, and ways to stop the cycle of abuse.
Oftentimes, kids downplay the effects of bullying to parents and teachers, resulting in the problem receiving a lack of attention. Atkind explains that there are a number of consequences to bullying, including suicide. But another strong issue is the overwhelming feeling that bullying is inescapable.
“We hear that far too often,” says Atkind. “Online platforms magnify bullying and make it much worse. It used to be, if you and I and a couple of other people were together and somebody said something hurtful to someone else, it really hurt the person who was the target, but it was confined to the four or five or two or however many people were in the room. With social media, it’s multiplied. It could be out in the whole world. Everybody in high school or everybody in junior high school could see that. Their parents could see that. And it never goes away. It lives there forever.”
Want to learn about how the Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey is working to stop the cycle of bullying? Then check out this episode of One-on-One with Steve Adubato.
After that, click here for more stories that impact New Jersey residents.
Hero (Top) Feature Image: © One-on-One with Steve Adubato / Caucus Educational Corporation
