Exploring Cyberbullying and Gun Violence in Schools
With adolescents spending more time online, cyberbullying has become a growing and potentially dangerous problem in schools and communities. School administrators nationwide are also grappling with the alarming surge in gun violence in schools and constantly working to mitigate the threat of gun violence in their classrooms.
The symposium will bring together clinicians, school administrators and other experts in the field of adolescent behavior to explore cyberbullying and gun violence in schools and discuss approaches that parents, behavioral health providers and administrators can use to better identify and respond to aggressive behaviors in adolescents. Presenters will also review recent trends and best practices for stemming cyberbullying behaviors, supporting victims of cyberbullying and helping adolescents cope with reports of gun violence in classrooms.
Overview
Learning Objectives
- Learn how social media use is related to bullying and cyberbullying
- Learn how digital forms of sexuality are related to cyberbullying
- Learn how to assist parents and schools to minimize cyberbullying and risky behaviors online
- Understand the incidence of school homicides in the United States since 1990
- Identify characteristics of the perpetrators and potential threats of school violence
- Understand the process for evaluating transient and substantive threats of school violence
Keynote Speaker
Elizabeth Englander, Ph.D., is the professor for the department of psychology at Bridgewater State University and the founder and director of the Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center at Bridgewater State University. She is also the chair of the Cyberbullying Work Group, Institute of Digital Media & Child Development at the National Academy of Sciences. Dr. Englander holds a bachelor of arts in Psychology from the University of California at Berkeley. She earned her Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California.
Speakers
Dr. Maria Aguilo-Seara is a child and adolescent psychiatrist at Adventist HealthCare Shady Grove Medical Center. Dr. Seara holds a bachelor’s degree in biology from Villanova University and a medical degree from University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. She also serves as an attending teaching faculty at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
Dr. Seara completed her residency in adult psychiatry and a fellowship in child and adolescent psychiatry at Drexel University College of Medicine. Dr. Seara is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology in child and adolescent psychiatry and neurology as well as adult psychiatry and neurology. She is also fluent in English and Spanish.
Jeff Bostic, Ph.D., is a child psychiatrist and clinical professor of psychiatry at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He has worked in schools since 1996, addressing the mental health needs of students and staff. From 1996-2016, he was director of School Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital, until he relocated to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital where he continues working in schools, now providing tele psychiatry in schools and teacher well-being training.
Symposium Agenda
| 8:00 a.m. |
Attendee Check-in & Continental Breakfast
|
| 8:30 a.m. |
Welcome & Opening Remarks
|
| 8:45 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. |
Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth Englander, Ph.D., Professor, Bridgewater State University
Q&A |
| 10:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. |
Morning Break |
| 10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. |
(Continued) Keynote Speaker: Elizabeth Englander, Ph.D., Professor, Bridgewater State University
Q&A
|
| 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. |
Dr. Jeff Bostic, Child Adolescent Psychiatrist, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital
Q&A
|
| 12:15 p.m. - 1:00 p.m |
Lunch
|
| 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m |
Dr. Maria Aguilo-Seara, Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist, Adventist HealthCare
Q&A
|
| 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Panel Discussion
Q&A
|
Who Should Attend
Psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers and other behavioral health providers or administrators caring for the adolescent population.
Continuing Education Units
This event is approved for 5.0 hours of continuing education for social workers, counselors and associates in Maryland. Partial credit will not be provided.
