Praise: Don't Just Stand By Competition

ReachOut.com and the Entertainment Software Association Foundation are teaming up to create a competition for young programmers to create tools that combat bullying, or more precisely that combat cyberbullying.  While I am not on Facebook (neither as Some Teacher nor by my legal name), I like the idea of young programmers working to empower other youth.  The structure of the goals for the apps appear to be well written:

• A focus on people aged 14-24 who would be potential bystanders to cyberbullying in online spaces/communities

• Increases understanding of what cyberbullying is and the role of bystanders

• Empowers young people to want to make online spaces/communities more positive and safe for everyone

• Specific call to action for potential bystanders

• Focus on the positive, do not use negative language or triggering images depicting cyberbullying, self harm or suicide that could re-traumatize victims/surviviors

• Must comply with the Official Rules for this contest.

The prizes have both a cash component and mentorship from professional programmers.  That is a nice combination.  If you know high school age kids who might be interested, the main page for the contest is here.  I wish both ReachOut and the kids the best of luck ... they may well be helping themselves and saving lives.