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Unicel Takes a Stand Against Cyber Bullying
Unicel Takes a Stand Against Cyber Bullying
Published 09-14-06
Submitted by Unicel
ALEXANDRIA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 14, 2006--Cyber bullying did not exist a few years ago. Camera cell phones, instant messaging, online social networking sites and a host of other technologies now can be exploited with relative ease to create 24/7 harassment.
As a provider of wireless technology in 15 states across the country, Unicel is leading the charge in the technology industry to build awareness of cyber bullying. Unicel teamed up with Washington-DC-based nonprofit The Empower Program to develop the StandUp! program, providing practical tips and tools to middle school students, parents and teachers/administrators on how to avoid the dangers of cyber bullying.
"This brutal form of bullying through technology can have severe consequences," said Rick Ekstrand, president and CEO of Rural Cellular Corporation, which does business as Unicel. "We are proud to take a stand against cyber bullying and hope that by bringing attention to the subject, we can help prevent future instances from occurring."
Unicel's StandUp! program includes a national speaking tour to middle schools around the country; a website for students, teachers and parents (http://www.unicel.com/standup); and a 12- page pamphlet titled "StandUp! What Every Parent Needs to Know About Cyber Bullying." The pamphlet, developed with the help of Odd Girl Out author Rachel Simmons, is available in all Unicel retail locations and can be downloaded from Unicel's site. The StandUp! program will visit 20 middle schools this fall in Alabama, Kansas, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon and Vermont.
Cyber bullying is a growing problem in the United States - one in three teens and one of six preteens are victims of cyber bullying according to a recent national poll conducted by law enforcement officers. Alarmingly, students are twice as likely to be bullied online as opposed to face-to-face.
"Through my work with young people, I've seen first hand how tempting it can be for students to be cruel to their peers when they are 'masked' by the technology they are using. This sort of bullying can feel inescapable to victims," said Shanterra McBride, a senior consult to the Empower Program and the featured speaker for the StandUp! tour. "Our goal is to show kids we know what they're up to, teach them that the same social norms apply for in person and online interactions, and bring in parents and school administrators so they can provide support."
About Unicel
Unicel is a service of Rural Cellular Corp. (RCC) that focuses on primarily rural markets in 15 states across the U.S. The company operates 100 retail locations and has a comprehensive network of over 400 certified agents and dealers. Unicel is committed to bringing the latest advances in wireless technology, products and services to its rural markets.
Rural Cellular Corporation (NASDAQ:RCCC) was established in 1990 and has completed a series of acquisitions increasing its population served (POPs) where it directly markets from 600,000 to 6.5 million. Go to www.unicel.com for more information.
Copyright Business Wire 2006
