Facebook, Time Warner join hands to prevent bullying

Facebook and Time Warner announced on Tuesday that they are teaming up to launch a wide- ranging, major cross-platform partnership initiative to fight bullying. The multi-media campaign, named "Stop Bullying: Speak Up" after the original anti-bullying initiative by Time Warner's Cartoon Network, will integrate broadcast, print, online and social media to educate parents, teachers and youth about the actions that will help protect young people from the impact of bullying, the two said in a joint statement. As part of the initiative, Facebook is scheduled to launch an interactive application in the back-to-school season this fall, which will enable educators, parents, and kids to make a personal commitment to help stop 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," Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook's chief operating officer, said in the statement. "We believe that by working together with parents and teachers, we can teach young people to speak up and stop bullying," she added. Time Warner is also planning to expand its multiplatform efforts to communicate the anti-bullying message to an broader audience. It said in October, three of its magazines -- People, Sports Illustrated and Time -- and their affiliated websites will feature editorial content that highlights the problem of bullying and innovative programs and measures being taken to combat it. In partnership with Facebook, CNN's Anderson Cooper will also host a new town hall, which is scheduled to air in October and will be dedicated to discussing bullying issues confronting kids today as well as discussions with experts to teach adults on coping with the bullying epidemic. "I'm confident that through our multiplatform approach and combined resources we can inspire even more people to take action against bullying," said Jeff Bewkes, Time Warner's chairman and chief executive officer.