Sony Division, Ad Council Team on Cyberbullying Contest
Sony Creative Software, the tech company’s professional video editing arm, has teamed with the Ad council and the National Crime Prevention Council to sponsor a contest to create a public service announcement about the dangers of cyberbullying.
Cyberbullying is the online intimidation of young people mostly through e-mail and instant or text messages.
The contest is open both to video professionals and to schoolchildren grades K-12. Entries received by Jan. 11, 2008 will be judged by filmmaker/directors Barry Sonnenfeld and Steve Oedekerk, as well as by cyberbullying researcher Dr. Justin Patchin of the University of Wisconsin at Eau Claire and by members of the Ad Council’s creative review committee.
One grand-prize winner in each category will receive a Sony VAIO computer and Sony cameras, software and accessories valued at $25,000. The winning entries will air on national television in spring 2008.
Research by Dr. Patchin and others suggests that one-third of youngsters may have experienced online bullying, and that more than 12% reported fearing for their safety as a result.
