BAPS Charities Youth Awareness Lecture on
Dangers of Virtual World and Cyberbullying

BAPS Charities in cooperation with the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness (OHSP) organized a presentation for children, youth, and parents to discuss ‘Dangers of Virtual World, Communication Technologies and Cyberbullying’ on June 5, 2011 in Clifton, NJ.

About 250 individuals attended the presentation. Among the OHSP officials present at this event were David Leonardis, Confidential Assistant to Deputy Director of Operations and John Paige, Supervising State Investigator. Nationally known speaker, Lieutenant Joseph Rampolla of the Park Ridge Police Department, gave a presentation on "Dangers of Virtual World, Communication Technologies and Cyberbullying ". Lt. Rampolla is the co-creator of the Internet Safety DVD Series – Point of No Return which featured the cyber-bullying video “Sticks and Stones” and the predator video “The Web.”

Many of the attendees who attended this presentation admitted that they knew little about the power and danger virtual worlds bring to our society. Lt. Rampolla provided a comprehensive look at several relevant issues facing our children, teens, and youth today, particularly regarding the dangers of internet bullying, harassment, peer pressure, peer conflict, hate speech and suicide. He highlighted the dangers inherent in on‐line communications. Lt. Rampolla also pointed out to the audience, especially teens and youth, that once something (words, photos, videos) is posted on‐line, it might remain accessible on the internet forever which could create problems and issues when one is attempting to get into a college or searching for an employment.  Parents were advised to enhance their knowledge regarding the technologies used by their children and encourage their children to speak to them if they happen to be victims of cyberbullying.