Province Asks For Students' Ideas For Cyberbullying Ad Campaign

Students from across the province will have the chance to help create a cyberbullying awareness campaign by sharing their ideas about the problem.

The province is asking students to submit videos, music and other art for an ad campaign to raise awareness about the problem of cyberbullying.

"We're asking students what messages they want the public to know about cyberbullying," said Education Minister Ramona Jennex. "What better voices than those of our youth to be part of this campaign?

"Students live with the reality of cyberbullying, and their ideas will most certainly resonate with Nova Scotians."

Students will have about six weeks to submit their work on the Unlike Cyberbullying website. The concepts and ideas will be judged, and the student or group that submits the idea chosen will work with the province to create a public service announcement that will run during the 2012-13 school year.

"Nobody knows what is going on more than kids in schools," said Paige Cameron, a J.L. Ilsley High School grad, who volunteers with various school arts programs. "Talking to kids and opening up a dialogue is a great way to get informed about how to help with the problem of cyberbullying."

In addition to the website, posters will be placed in schools to let students know how they can participate. The campaign posters and materials will also be available in French.

The closing date for students to submit their work is July 13.

For more information, visit unlikecyberbullying.ca.