Cyberbullying research & policy initiatives The research group MIOS of the University of Antwerp has conducted several studies on cyberbullying and is involved in policy advice and awareness raising initiatives. This webpage offers an overview of projects. More information on publications and conferences are summarized in other sections of this website. First survey Public authorities in Belgium have undertaken steps to develop research-based anti-cyberbullying actions. As a first initiative, the Institute Society and Technology financed a first study about cyberbullying at the request of the Commission for Culture, Youth, Sport and the Media of the Flemish Parliament and conducted by the research group MIOS. The aim was to gather data about the prevalence of cyberbullying amongst youngsters, and about the profile of bullies and victims. The study was conducted in October 2005 by researchers from the University of Antwerp (Vandebosch, Van Cleemput, Mortelmans & Walrave, 2006). A total of 636 primary school children and 1416 secondary school students participated in a class room survey. The results of this survey are summarized in a research report and other scientific publications (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009). Focus group research A qualitative study into the experiences and views of youngsters with regard to cyberbullying formed a second research initiative. In the context of research lab for students (under supervision of Vandebosch and Van Cleemput), 53 focus groups with high school pupils (10 to 18 year olds) were organised to investigate what criteria should be met to consider harassing internet practices as “true” cyberbullying (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2008).  Survey on ICT-risks The third initiative fits within the framework of the TIRO-project (Teens & ICT: risks & Opportunities, cf. website ). This research was financed by the Belgian Science Policy (research program Society & Future) and was a collaboration between the Universities of Brussels (SMIT-VUB), Namur (CRID & CITA FUNDP) and Antwerp (MIOS-University of Antwerp). A survey, including cyberbullying measurements, was conducted among 1318 pupils (12-18 year olds) and 571 parents concerning the opportunities and the risks linked with internet use (Walrave, Lenaerts, De Moor, 2008; Walrave & Heirman, 2009). Policy advice The data from this research project were integrated in international publications (cf. bibliography) and in a book in Dutch and French on cyberbullying (Walrave, Demoulin, Heirman, & Van de Perre, 2009), that formed the basis of the Internet Rights Observatory’s policy advice. This advice is an important step taken by the Internet Observatory, an independent think tank associated with the Belgian Ministry of Economic Affairs. The Observatory is a multistakeholders organisation, supported by the Federal Public Service Economy, that drafts advice and sensitizes internet users and organisations on different internet related issues. Research teams of the Universities of Namur (CRID) and Antwerp (MIOS) support the members of the Observatory with scientific research and assist them in their different missions. On the Safer Internet Day (10 February 2009) the Observatory presented the new advice on cyberbullying, together with a research report, and guidelines for parents, teachers and teenagers. This information can be downloaded (in French and Dutch) on the Observatory’s website . The policy advice stresses the following topics: 1)    The development of educational programs, focussing on media literacy 2)    The involvement of mass media in informing and sensitizing the public 3)    The development of a uniform prevention program for all types of bullying, taking the specificity of cyberbullying into account 4)    Creating increased vigilance of educators and parents for cyberbullying in lower secondary education (age 12-15 years old) 5)    The development of a ‘Whole School Community’-approach for (cyber)bullying 6)    Raising awareness on the mitigating effects of parental supervision 7)    Prevention efforts are preferable to sanctioning approaches. COST Action Prof. dr. Heidi Vandebosch is also member of the COST Action IS0801 about cyberbullying. This COST Action aims at sharing expertise on cyberbullying in educational settings, and coping with negative and enhancing positive uses of new technologies. This will be done across a wide range of COST countries, through Working Groups, three Workshops, and a final Conference. International conference A pre-conference workshop on the legal aspects of cyberbullying will be organised on May 26th 2010 at the University of Antwerp. This workshop precedes a two-day international scientific conference, issued by prof. dr. Michel Walrave & prof. dr. Heidi Vandebosch and organised by UCSIA and MIOS entitled e-Youth: balancing between opportunities and risks? (27-28 May 2010). This conference will cover different issues dealing with children’s and teenagers’ ICT-uses, amongst others cyberbullying. More information on http://www.ua.ac.be/eyouth .