Mr Malone said it is important for everyone to stand against cyberbullying and help promote a culture of kindness, empathy and inclusivity online as the Territory prepares to observe World Telecommunication and Information Society Day.

‘Don’t Be Mean Behind the Screen’

According to a press release from Government Information Service (GIS) on May 12, 2023, the day’s activities will be observed under the theme, “Don’t Be Mean Behind the Screen”.

“At the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission, we take cyberbullying seriously and believe that everyone, inclusive of our youths, employees, customers and stakeholders, has the right to a safe and respectful online experience,” Mr Malone said.

As part of the activities in observance of the day, the TRC has organised a one-day symposium for approximately 300 students across the Territory on Friday, May 19, at Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium on the Hamilton Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC) Campus at Paraquita Bay, Tortola from 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM.

Keynote Speaker for 1-day symposium for students

The Keynote Speaker for the symposium Dr Stephanie Fredrick is a former Associate Director of the Alberti Center for Bullying Abuse Prevention at the University at Buffalo.

Dr Fedrick is as an Assistant Professor of the School of Psychology, where her research investigates the role of families, peers, and schools in preventing and intervening with bullying, with a focus on cyberbullying and youth media use. Dr Fredrick is a licenced psychologist and a nationally certified school psychologist.

Organiser of this year’s symposium, Ms Johanna Rhymer mentioned that telecommunications in particular the internet, provide incredible opportunities to solving problems and enhancing our lives.

She said while there are instances where telecommunications create solutions, there are also some challenges that are more and more increasingly evident especially amongst our children.

Tackling cyberbullying in VI

Ms Rhymer added, “Although cyberbullying is bullying with the use of digital technologies, Cyberbullying and face-to-face bullying or physical altercations can often happen alongside each other and as such, we thought it best to tackle this ongoing local and international dilemma by bringing our keynote speaker Dr Stephanie Fredrick to the VI.”

World Telecommunication and Information Society Day WTISD) has been observed each year since May 17, 1969, to mark and celebrate the founding of the International Telecommunications Union and the signing of the first International Telegraph Convention in 1865.