Across the country, schools are looking for solutions to curb the rising problem of online bullying. Justin Patchin, Ph.D., and Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D., the authors of the new cyberbullying prevention resource, Words Wound, think the answer lies in teens themselves. Full of strategies for dealing with online bullying, their book also shares stories from teens who are working to make their schools and communities kinder places.

We believe that teens are uniquely positioned to put an end to cyberbullying. More than parents, teachers, counselors, coaches, and law enforcement—teens have the power and ability to make it cool to respect and care about others. This is where the Words Wound Video Contest comes in: We want to hear your ideas about how teens can use technology and the Internet to make schools better, safer places for other teens. How can we delete cyberbullying and make kindness go viral?

YOUR ASSIGNMENT
Create a short video (three minutes or less) responding to this question, “How can teens use technology and the Internet to make schools better, safer places for other teens?” Share efforts that are successful at your school or dream up completely new solutions. Get creative! Perform a slam poem, make a mini-documentary about your school, or act out a scenario using stop motion animation. Your imagination (well, that and your video editing skills. . .) is the only limit.

All entries must be posted on YouTube. Do not send your video to Free Spirit. After posting your video, email the link and following information to publicity@freespirit.com. Submitted videos will be accessible to the public via the Free Spirit YouTube channel. All entries made by students under age 18 must be submitted by a teacher, parent, or guardian.

Contact information should include the following:

1. The name and email address of the teacher, parent, or guardian submitting the entry.
2. The name(s) of the student or students that produced the entry.
3. The name of the school or K–12 academic institution that the student(s) attend.
4. The link (URL address) to the YouTube video.

THE PRIZE
The winning entry will receive a $250 cash prize along with a $250 Free Spirit gift certificate for their teacher or school library.

(As an added incentive, our friends at the Peace In the Streets Global Film Festival have agreed to allow entrants of the Words Wound Video Contest for Teens to submit the same video to their student film festival. The Peace In the Streets Global Film Festival winners will have their short films shown at the United Nations in New York City during the Culture of Peace Conference in September 2014.)

JUDGING
The winning entry will be selected by Free Spirit’s Teen Advisory Council. Entries will be judged based on:

• Creativity of the solution
• Perceived effectiveness
• Quality of the submission—Is it both informative and entertaining?

DEADLINES
May 9, 2014: Last day to submit an entry. Submissions close at midnight.
May 16, 2014: A winner will be notified via email and announced on the Free Spirit blog.

Participation in the Contest is subject to the Official Rules, which are available here.

We welcome your comments and suggestions. Share your comments, stories, and ideas below, or contact us. All comments will be approved before posting, and are subject to our comment and privacy policies.

© 2014 by Free Spirit Publishing. All rights reserved.