Teen Social Network After School to Participate in National Interfaith Anti-Bullying Summit

San Francisco, California, Oct. 10, 2017 -- After School, the largest teen-focused social network in the U.S., will be a featured presenter at the upcoming National Interfaith Anti-Bullying Summit. Hosted by the American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP) organization, the two-day event will be held at George Washington University in Washington D.C., December 2-3.

Bullying that’s related to real or perceived religious differences on school campuses across the country is a growing concern. This first-of-its-kind conference will bring together experts from different fields to share research and best practices, and stimulate new thinking on how to address this problem. "A child’s sense of belonging is jeopardized when their faith is targeted as a source for bullying,” says Dr. Rukhsana Chaudhry, Psychologist and AMHP Board Member. “A young person either experiencing or witnessing this type of bullying must be given resources to counteract these messages to ensure the mental well-being of individuals and our communities.” The event will help bring these resources and thought leaders together to assist young people who have been or could be the victim of bullying.

After School’s Vice President Jeff Collins will speak at the event in a workshop session titled “How Social Media Companies Combat Faith-Based Cyberbullying.” Collins will discuss problems social media outlets encounter concerning faith-based bullying, and address with attendees what can and is being done to protect users.

“Modern communications technology provides us all with the ability to communicate with nearly anyone in the world instantaneously -- an ability that can be harnessed for good or used for nefarious purposes. For our company, the key is to promote and support free speech, while using technology to detect and prevent harassment from taking place, and to provide support to those who are targeted,” says Collins. “Collaborating and working together is how we will get closer to a solution to both bullying and cyberbullying, and we look forward to learning from and sharing with the attendees and participants in this event.”

Topics covered in the workshop session will include unique aspects of faith-based cyberbullying, the responsibilities of social media companies, filters, content reporting, working with social media companies and an open Q&A.

The event will also feature Sumi Mukherjee, author of “A Life Interrupted – the story of my battle with bullying and obsessive compulsive disorder.” To learn more about or to attend the event, visit the Eventbrite page for the event here.

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b9421534-8cdf-4264-a81b-4322393bb12e

Attachments:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/515ef330-4d74-451c-8d80-f0d96cdf06e3

Jeff Collins
After School
925-768-5464
[email protected]