This partnership is the latest in a line of initiatives from both Facebook and Time Warner Inc. to prevent bullying. Earlier this year, Facebook unveiled its newly designed Family Safety Center and a ‘Social Report Tool,’ which enables people to report bullying or harassment to parents, teachers or trusted friends. CNN, Cartoon Network and Time Inc. combined their on-going efforts and resources last year for a national multi-platform campaign, which included the CNN program, Bullying: No Escape; an AC 360 Special Report with PEOPLE and Cartoon Network, hosted by Anderson Cooper.
“For the past two years, we’ve been working closely with Facebook to expand the bullying prevention campaign that was started by our own Cartoon Network, and includes several of our other leading brands,” said Jeff Bewkes, Chairman & CEO, Time Warner Inc. “In partnering with Facebook for the next phase of our effort, we will now be able to communicate this important message to an even broader audience. I’m confident that through our multiplatform approach and combined resources we can inspire even more people to take action against bullying.”
"We care deeply about the safety of our nation's children and are proud to be partnering with Time Warner to raise awareness of bullying," said Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer, Facebook. "We believe that by working together with parents and teachers, we can teach young people to speak up and stop bullying."
Today’s announcement comes after the recent White House Convention on Bullying Prevention, which was attended by policymakers and representatives from the media industry, nonprofit and education communities. As part of the initiative, Facebook and Time Warner Inc. will leverage the reach, depth and social connections of each of their properties. The campaign will now include:
- CNN’s Anderson Cooper 360° Town Hall – Anderson Cooper will host a second town hall—in partnership with Time Warner and Facebook—dedicated to discussing the current bullying issues confronting kids today as well as discussions with certified experts to teach adults on coping with this epidemic. The special hour is scheduled to air on CNN in October 2011 as part of Bullying Prevention Month, with additional pieces and reports leading up to it.
- Facebook’s Social Media Pledge – An interactive Stop Bullying: Speak Up Social Pledge App that will enable educators, parents, and kids to make a personal commitment—and recruit others to join them—to help stop bullying. The App is scheduled to launch in time for the Fall 2011 back-to-school season.
- Cartoon Network Multi-Platform Resources – Deep integration of the network’s bystander-focused bullying prevention platform with Facebook’s Family Safety Center.
- Time Inc. Expansive Coverage – PEOPLE, sports illustrated and TIME have dedicated significant coverage to the bullying epidemic over the last several years. This October, all three brands and their affiliated websites will feature editorial content that highlights the problem and innovative programs and measures being taken to combat it. With a combined reach of 91 million monthly readers, together these three Time Inc. brands will shine a spotlight on one of the most pressing issues facing young people today.
About Facebook
Founded in February 2004, Facebook's mission is to give people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. Anyone can sign up for Facebook and interact with the people they know in a trusted environment. Facebook is a privately held company and is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
Facebook® is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.
About Time Warner
Time Warner Inc., a global leader in media and entertainment with businesses in television networks, filmed entertainment and publishing, uses its industry-leading operating scale and brands to create, package and deliver high-quality content worldwide through multiple distribution outlets.
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