Owensboro Public Schools and Daviess County Public Schools youth service centers (YSC) are working together to promote a free pizza and movie event to address social media bullying.
New Beginnings approached OPS and DCPS to host a viewing of the Netflx documentary “Audrie & Daisy.” The film is an urgent real-life drama that examines the ripple effects on families, friends, schools, and communities when two underage young women find that sexual assault crimes against them have been caught on camera. From acclaimed filmmakers Bonni Cohen and Jon Shenk, “Audrie & Daisy” takes a hard look at America’s teens who are coming into the age in this new world of social media bullying.
Owensboro High School YSC, Michelle Mayfield, says the target audience is high school students and their parents.
The film’s website reports 92% of Americans age 13-17 are online for social media at least once a day and 95% of teens report witnessing cruelty or bullying online. “This is an issue that we need to embrace whether we like it or not,” says Daviess County High School YSC, Carrie Kimbrell. “We can try to withhold social media from (teens) as long as we want, but the truth is they are using it. Therefore, this is an opportunity to educate students and their parents of the dangers and the repercussions of the misuse of social media.”
The movie will be shown Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2016, at Daviess County High School auditorium, 4255 New Hartford Road.
Free pizza will be served at 6:30 p.m., followed by the movie at 7 p.m.
There will also be door prizes. Those attending will be asked to answer a brief pre and post questionnaire. New Beginnings Rape Crisis Counselors will be available for discussion during and after the movie.
Deputy Tom Whitford, school resource officer, will also be available to answer questions about legalities with cyberbullying.
