Phoenix, AZ, March 31, 2009…. The Arizona Region of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today announced its partnership with Qwest in launching ADL's "Trickery, Trolling and Threats:  Understanding and Addressing Cyberbullying" education program.

Cyberbullying, described as intentional harm inflicted through electronic media, affects almost half of all U.S. teens and is often motivated by prejudice and hate.  The ADL program is designed address a variety of groups, including targeted students and their families, teachers and administrators and even law enforcement.

Miriam Weisman, ADL Regional Board Chair and Bill Straus, ADL Regional Director issued the following statement:

"Whether cyberbullying is related to identity-based group membership, or more universal characteristics such as appearance or social status, online social cruelty can produce devastating consequences for the targets and may be a precursor to more destructive behavior, including involvement in hate groups and bias-related violence.  We gratefully thank our friends at Qwest, who  understand this and have enthusiastically joined us in the fight against this insidious trend." 
           

Jim Campbell, Qwest Arizona president, added:

"As a leading provider of broadband communications, Qwest feels it's our responsibility to inform and educate not only potential Qwest subscribers, but the community as a whole on responsible usage of the Internet.  Knowledge is power, so this program will only help to decrease the number of teenagers affected by cyberbullying."

In addition to the local Qwest grant, the Symantec Corporation has provided a grant to ADL to help disseminate the program nationally.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.