What to do about cyberbullying

Michael Pritchard, Humanist & Child Advocate, shares advice for parents on the best steps to take if your child is being cyberbullied or bullied online
What to Do if Your Child is a Victim of Cyberbullying
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What to do about cyberbullying

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You know, this is one of the great ways. If your child is being harassed online, one of the kids said to me in such a sad way, the bullies follow me home now. And they're on my web. And I was like, honey, I'm going to teach you and mommy and daddy and something. Pull the plug. Pull the plug. Pull the plug. If it's hurting your spirit, it's not good for you. And if it's hurting your spirit and causing you scar tissue, it's unhealthy and not well. And what is wellness is we - we is wellness - we choose as moms and dads to stop that. And then not care what everybody else is doing. OMG, LOL, Oh My God, she's got TAD - Technology Attachment Disorder. Well look, this is what we do. We unplug. And then we replug in when we're wiser, kinder, stronger. We build that sense of character up so that a person would understand that when these sick things come our way are just that, exactly - sick things that have no business in our lives, or diminishing our spirit, or causing us depression or suicidal thoughts. Our job as human beings is to be protectors of each other's spirits. That's not just parents. That's teachers, counselors, that's everybody. When a child's treasured heart is attacked, hurt, diminished, it's important for all of us to step up, not stand by and watch. It's important for all of us to step up, not stand by and watch. You feel it, you know it, you see it in a child that their candle is flickering. Stand up. Say something. Talk to the mother, talk to the father, talk to the counselor. Everybody is a parent. Everybody is a parent. And we're all members of a community - bus driver to the crossing guard. Everybody's on guard. We call it the ship, friendship.

Michael Pritchard, Humanist & Child Advocate, shares advice for parents on the best steps to take if your child is being cyberbullied or bullied online

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Michael Pritchard

Humanist & Child Advocate

Michael Pritchard is a nationally acclaimed keynote speaker praised by the Wall Street Journal, CNN and Time for his ability to use humor to inspire and educate his audiences on communication skills. Michael Pritchard is a big guy with a warm heart who as one student described him, “truly walks as he talks.”

He began his career on both the comedy stage and as a juvenile counselor in San Francisco’s Youth Guidance Center. In 1980, Michael Pritchard won first place in the San Francisco International Stand Up Comedy Competition as well as winning the prestigious California Probation Officer of the Year.

Michael’s offers from Hollywood rolled in including a guest appearance on an Emmy Award winning episode of “Taxi”. His sensational standup comedy billed him with Robin Williams, Jerry Seinfeld, Dana Carvey and Whoopi Goldberg playing venues as Caesar’s, the Comedy Store, Universal Ampitheater and opening for such names as Diana Ross, the Grateful Dead, Kenny Rogers, Mike Mc Donald and Boz Scaggs. But Michael rejected offers from Hollywood to focus on using his comic talents for inspiring youth and adults.

Drawing from his counseling background, Michael Pritchard began using humor to inspire, teach communication skills, anger management, diversity, conflict resolution and overcoming burnout and stress.

His broad base of audience from corporate employees, healthcare workers, government and state officials have honored him with countless standing ovations and numerous awards including: President’s Volunteer Action Award, Commendation - Office of the Attorney General , Paul Harris Fellowship - Rotary International, Toastmaster’s International Speaker, Outstanding Performance - Federal Executive Board , Josephine Duveneck Humanitarian Award and the Key to the City of San Francisco.As a result of his work, Michael Pritchard has been featured on CNN, NBC’s “The Today Show”, “The Tonight Show”, CBS “Sunday Morning” with Charles Kuralt, “Time” magazine and “People” magazine.

His seven educational series for PBS and distribution has been seen by millions and focuses on youth guidance in the areas of violence prevention. “The Power of Choice” “You can Choose”, “Big Changes, Big Choices”.

Forming Heartland Media, he continued with “Red Ribbon Week” and “PeaceTalks” teaching students to make positive choices.“SOS: Saving Our Schools from Hate and Violence”, featured in both Time magazine and on CNN, filmed after the tragic Columbine disaster. His new series: “Lifesteps” builds the social and emotional intelligence in youth and has already received the Parents Choice Award

For his work in promoting nonviolence with youth, Dr. Michael Pritchard was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Hartwick University and winning, 2001 Lewis Hine’s Award for Service to Children & Youth Certificate of Appreciation and the 2002 Marin Community Foundations Beryl Buck Fund Award for achievement in Promoting Nonviolence.

As an extension of Heartland Media, he established Heartland Media Foundation building character and emotional intelligence, violence prevention, inciting motivation and leadership in both youth and adults to improve schools and communities. The foundation provides youth guidance programs, including video, print curriculum, and live presentations by Michael Pritchard to aid in schools and communities where the funding is limited.

In the fund raising capacity, Michael Pritchard has help raise millions of dollars by donating his time and talent to events and various charitable organizations including: Boys and Girls Club – Ronald McDonald House –Salvation Army - Jewish Family Services – SF Giants Community Fund – American Heart Association –Women’s Wellness Forum – Special Olympics - CASA Court Appointed Special Advocates - Bread & Roses – Recreation Center for the Handicapped –– DARE –– Texan’s War on Drugs –– Vietnam Vets of America - Guide Dogs for the Blind

More Parenting Videos from Michael Pritchard >
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