Writing

Recent Writing

Commentary, research insights, and practical guidance on cyberbullying, sexting, sextortion, youth technology use, online safety, and related issues.

From the Cyberbullying Research Center

Recent Articles & Commentary

I regularly write about emerging research, legal developments, and practical issues involving youth and technology.

May 6, 2026

Sextortion and Teen Suicide

New research examining the connection between adolescent sextortion victimization and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

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April 1, 2026

Preventing Cyberbullying Through Vicarious Supervision

New research on how positive parent-child relationships can help prevent cyberbullying and problematic online behavior.

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March 3, 2026

Can a School Suspend a Student for Writing an Email that was Never Sent?

Examining student speech, school discipline, and the legal questions raised by an unsent message on a school device.

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February 11, 2026

New Research Shows Teen Sexting and Risk of Sextortion is Increasing

New national data on adolescent sexting, nonconsensual sharing, and the growing problem of sextortion.

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December 29, 2025

Bradyn’s Law: Wisconsin’s Effort to Combat a Rise in Youth Sextortion

A look at Wisconsin's response to the increasing problem of financial sextortion targeting adolescents.

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July 17, 2025

Cyberbullying Rates Continue to Climb, Especially Among Boys

Updated national data showing how cyberbullying experiences among young people continue to change.

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November 7, 2024

Our Cyberbullying Scale: Two Decades of Measuring Online Aggression

A look at how we have measured cyberbullying over two decades of research and how those measures have evolved.

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July 22, 2024

Responding to Cyberbullying: Strategies for School Counselors

Practical guidance for school counselors responding to cyberbullying incidents involving students.

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May 13, 2024

Digital Self-Harm: The Growing Problem You’ve Never Heard Of

Understanding why some adolescents anonymously post hurtful content about themselves online.

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January 17, 2024

When Your Mother is Your Cyberbully

An unusual case highlighting the complexities of online harassment, family relationships, and cyberbullying.

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October 4, 2023

Cyberbullying Continues to Rise among Youth in the United States

National survey data documenting changes in cyberbullying victimization and offending among U.S. youth.

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August 8, 2023

Takeaways from the Surgeon General’s Advisory on Social Media

Key lessons from the U.S. Surgeon General's advisory concerning social media use and adolescent well-being.

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March 8, 2023

Take it Down: A New Tool to Combat the Unauthorized Sharing of Explicit Images of Minors

How a new tool can help young people limit the online spread of intimate images.

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December 5, 2022

School Administrators Charged with Child Exploitation After Investigating Sexting

A cautionary case involving school responses to student sexting and the unintended consequences of an investigation.

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October 14, 2022

Cyberbullying Among Asian American Youth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Research examining cyberbullying experiences among Asian American adolescents before and during the pandemic.

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September 7, 2022

Model Sexting Law

A proposed framework for creating more reasonable and developmentally appropriate laws addressing adolescent sexting.

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August 18, 2022

The Status of Sexting Laws Across the United States

A review of how states across the country address adolescent sexting through criminal and juvenile law.

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August 2, 2022

Digital Self-Harm and Suicidality among Middle and High School Students

Research examining the relationship between digital self-harm and suicidal thoughts and behaviors.

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April 13, 2022

Michigan Teen Latest Casualty of Sextortion

A tragic case illustrating the rapidly growing threat of financial sextortion directed at adolescents.

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February 28, 2022

Vicarious Supervision: Preventing Problematic Behaviors Online through Positive Parent-Child Relationships

Exploring how strong parent-child bonds may influence young people's behavior even when parents are not directly supervising them.

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Beyond the Research

Personal Essays

In addition to my professional writing, I occasionally write about family, photography, running, the outdoors, and other experiences that shape how I see the world.

Volume One · October 6, 2020

Running Though COVID-19

Pandemic creates an unexpected opportunity for father-son bonding.

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Volume One · October 16, 2019

Finding the Unexpected When the Fireplace Fails

Brick by brick, a home rebuilding project becomes something much more than repairing a troublesome fireplace.

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Volume One · September 19, 2018

Fathers, Sons, and Storms

Defying rain, lightning, and familial fear in pursuit of the perfect photograph.

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Volume One · August 23, 2017

War and Peace With Animal Neighbors

Living in the countryside is relaxing—except when the local wildlife decides otherwise.

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Wisconsin Life · July 28, 2017

Capturing the Perfect Shot

A Wisconsin Public Radio essay about photography, sunsets, persistence, and occasionally arriving a little too late.

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Unpublished · June 15, 2017

The Journey to Grandmas

Even a marathoner needs a team and a coach: reflections on running, Grandmas Marathon, and the people who make the journey possible.

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Volume One · May 3, 2017

Opening Weekend

The first morning of fishing season is usually cold, but the memories formed couldn't be warmer.

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Volume One · November 2, 2016

Turn Your Eyes to the Skies

Chasing and photographing the northern lights around Wisconsin and beyond.

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Volume One · April 20, 2016

Morning Glory

In a Wisconsin spring, the early bird sometimes gets a spectacular show—and the photograph.

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Leader-Telegram · April 17, 2016

It Seems to Me: Public Universities Need Support

Reflections on declining state support for public higher education and what it means for universities.

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Volume One · August 19, 2015

Inspiring Art

How living in an art-friendly community can inspire creativity—even while sitting beside Lake Wissota at two in the morning.

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Volume One · March 4, 2015

Roaming the Icy Rivers

Learning—and relearning—about the beauty and danger of Wisconsin river ice.

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