cyberbullying

end cyberbullying for a troll-free future

Cancel cruelty and restore respect online and offline.

Bullying no longer stays on playgrounds or in classrooms. It shows up in comments, social feeds, group chats and private messages. Years ago you could step away from it for a night or a weekend. Now the pressure can follow kids everywhere and the harm can spread fast.

The SMART Social Project helps families, educators and individuals build healthier screen habits, understand how social media affects mental health and work toward a future with fewer trolls. It offers more than a break from devices. It strengthens digital literacy and encourages real kindness online.

So how do we push back against cruelty online? We start by looking up and staying kind.

Take the Presence Pedge

Meet the SMART Social Project “Trolls”

  • Radiate

    The Anti-Troll
    😏 Intentional w/ online activity, avoids triggers.

  • Glitch

    The Provoker
    😜 Lives for reactions and chaos, “rage-baiter”

  • Judge

    The Vigilante
    ⚖️ Self-righteous, convinced they’re doing the “right thing”

  • Echo

    The Amplifier
    📣 Likes, shares, reposts without thinking

  • Blaze

    The Aggressor
    🔥 Hot-headed, explosive, lashes out fast

‘Scaveng-TROLL” Hunt

Join us throughout the month of Sept. for a scavenger-style TROLL hunt around the community. Clues will be shared each week for to help you uncover where each “Troll” will be hiding! Each location will have more info on the “Troll” found as well as a prize!

SMART Social Resources

the effects of cyberbullying can be devastating

In our always-online era, the haters and the trolls can reach just about anywhere. Group chats can quickly turn toxic and hurtful social content can spread fast. And the pain inflicted online can have serious offline impacts.

That’s why it’s time to draw a line: No trolls. Full stop.

TRUTH: Cyberbullying doesn’t just hurt feelings. It damages mental health.

HARDER TRUTH: Trolling and cyberbullying are linked to self-harm and thoughts of suicide.

SOLUTION: The SMART Social Project helps teens and families set boundaries and take back control.

BOTTOM LINE: Look up. Log off. Speak up. Cancel cruelty.

why combatting cyberbullying matters

Our brains are wired to seek patterns, meaning, and connection. But when those patterns are built by algorithms, and the meaning is manufactured by bots, we lose our grip on what’s really real.

A troll is someone who deliberately harasses, provokes or puts others down online, whether for attention, amusement or to cause harm. Trolls feed on reactions, and their words can leave a lasting impact.

Our brains are built for survival. When we feel threatened the fight or flight response kicks in, a system created for physical danger rather than rude or hateful interactions. Online harassment can trigger the same reaction: a racing heart, lost sleep and steady anxiety. This mismatch between ancient instincts and modern digital stress gives online cruelty more power than it deserves.

The SMART Social Project offers a way to shift our culture. When people choose support instead of piling on, everyone feels a little less alone.

stay kind + be a cyber ally

Being a cyber ally means more than avoiding troll behavior. It means understanding the significant links between social media and mental health and intentionally creating safe digital spaces.

CYBER ALLYS:

• Speak up when they see harassment.

• Support those who are targeted.

• Choose kindness even when silence feels easier.

• Refuse to harass, demean or provoke others online.

• Do not feed trolls or reward their behavior.

Take the Presence Pledge

there’s no place for trolls in Oshkosh

fast facts

Frequent social media use among high school students is associated with higher prevalence of bullying victimization, persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness and having seriously considered attempting suicide.

— CDC

Dig Deeper: Read Real Research

community voices

  • "My daughter has had some cyberbullying issues with one of her friends which has damaged what was once a solid friendship."

    — Oshkosh parent

  • "People can show up as the worst versions of themselves online, hiding behind their screens. We talk actively in our house with our middle schooler about how she can try to protect herself online by being safe with who and how she communicates on the internet."

    — Oshkosh parent

  • "I recently learned more about organized cyberbullying groups communicating with kids through online game platforms. We've been having conversations often with our family about how there are some really bad people out on a mission to hurt people through the internet."

    — Oshkosh parent

take action

    • Make “No trolls” a family ground rule and take the pledge

    • Ask what children and teens are seeing online and listen without judgment

    • Learn reporting, blocking and privacy tools together

    • Don’t troll and don’t feed the trolls

    • Back up friends who are targeted

    • Protect yourself—mute, block and report

    • Set the tone: No trolls in classrooms, offices and community spaces

    • Name the behavior when you see it and model respectful replies

    • Use restorative approaches when conflicts spill over