On Saturday and Sunday March 30-31, students from Siena College Research Institute will train students from Hunter College in a cyber bullying prevention program. The program, aptly named the “Upstander” Program, was launched by AT&T in 2017 at Siena College. After a 2018 study by AT&T found that 98% of NYC teens have their own Internet-connected devices and 2/3 of teens have engaged in risky behavior online. The study also revealed that half of teens have experienced some form of cyberbullying. The Upstander Program was created in response to this crisis.
“The Upstander ambassadors program teaches young people to be active citizens, empowering them to stand up to cyberbullying and make their schools safer,” says Marissa Shorenstein, President, Northern Region, AT&T. Student volunteers from colleges partner with local high school students to discuss ways to stop negative behavior online and empower their peers to stand up for themselves and others.
Thought there have been Upstander workshops in Staten Island and Manhattan high schools, this training session at Hunter College opens doors for more long-term expansion of the Upstander Program to New York City. Hunter College students and administration alike are already eager to begin volunteering with the program and help make a difference in the community. “We are very pleased that AT&T and the Tyler Clementi Foundation chose to work with our civic-minded students at Hunter College,” says Jennifer J. Raab, president of Hunter College. “Those who are being trained come from diverse backgrounds but all plan to pursue careers in education and are dedicated to creating safe and inclusive environments for their peers and future students. They will be a great asset to the program.”
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Main Image: Student ambassadors at the Upstanders ambassadors program Siena College students conducted at Tottenville High School in Staten Island on February 3.
