Posted Tuesday, November 29, 2011 --- 1:33 p.m.

Press Release from the Milton Police Department:

The School District of Milton and the Milton Police Department are proud to announce an upcoming presentation that we think can be beneficial to our entire community. On December 12th, Professor Justin Patchin, a national expert on cyberbullying, will be on hand to speak to the entire student body at the Milton Middle school. Professor Patchin will also be giving a community-wide presentation that evening at 6:00pm, also at the Middle School, on the same topic.

With the advancements in technology and social networking our children are often victims of this destructive behavior. We feel that this age group is a good target audience to get across this important message and hopefully change some conduct on the part of our young people.

The evening presentation is open to the public. We would encourage parents, and children of an age that are engaging in social networking, or will be soon, to attend.

Dr. Justin 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 the past several years he has been exploring the intersection of teens and technology, with particular focus on cyberbullying and social networking.  He travels around the country training educators, counselors, law enforcement officers, parents, and youth on how to prevent and address the consequences of cyberbullying.  Dr. Patchin is Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center (www.cyberbullying.us) and has written numerous articles on adolescent behaviors online.  His co-authored book: “Bullying beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying” was named Educator Book of the Year by ForeWord reviews.  He has appeared on CNN, NPR, and in the New York Times to discuss issues related to teens use and misuse of technology.

Professor Patchin’s appearances are being sponsored jointly by the School District of Milton and the Milton Police Department’s Crime Prevention fund.