Help for Youth Dealing with Cyberbullying/Mental Health Issues

The Social Network Show welcomes back Carol Todd to the January 12, 2015 episode.

Carol Todd, a special education teacher and children's advocate has done a tremendous amount of work to increase awareness of cyber abuse; end the stigmatization of mental health issues; and share methods to prevent mental health issues among young people. In this episode, Carol explains what parents, schools and other adults can do to help children who are bullied and the importance of opening up communication with our children.

Carol Todd is the mother of Amanda Todd, the 15 year old who brought the world's attention to the consequences of cyberbullying when she committed suicide in October 2012, in British Columbia. Prior to the suicide, Amanda posted a video on YouTube that went viral. She used a series of flash cards to tell her experience with being blackmailed, bullied and physically assaulted.  This got worldwide attention and started a discussion among the government in British Columbia about the scope of cyberbullying in Canada and the importance of adding more funding and support for anti-bullying organizations.

Carol has given numerous radio, television and newspaper interviews and has met with many people to share her and her daughter’s experiences. Carol and relatives of three other teenage girls who died after being cyber bullied or lured online, met with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in May, 2013 to talk about laws that will crack down on internet tormentors.

After Amanda's death, Carol Todd created the Amanda Todd Legacy Society, a non-profit organization that helps with those in need of resources, assistance, awareness and education on the topics of anti-bullying, mental health and cyber safety.

In January of 2014, Dutch police arrested a man in a case involving multiple victims in Netherlands, UK and Canada. In April 2014, it was reported that the suspect had been identified with indecent assault and child pornography against Amanda Todd and other child victims.

In May of 2013, Carol was nominated for the 2013 Me to We Award in the category of Social Action, presented by Canadian Living and AOL/Huffington Post Impact Canada.

Learn more about Carol and Amanda at Carol's blog, caroltoddsnowflakes