Dr. Sameer Hinduja is a Professor in the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Florida Atlantic University, Co-Director of the Cyberbullying Research Center, and Faculty Associate at the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University. He is recognized internationally for his groundbreaking work on the subjects of cyberbullying, sexting, and social media and gaming abuse, concerns that have paralleled the exponential growth in online communication by young people. He has written seven books, and his interdisciplinary research has been cited approximately 22,000 times in a wide range of fields including pediatrics, information technology, computer science, business, psychology, education, and nursing. As a noted researcher and speaker on youth and social media issues for the last 20 years, Dr. Hinduja trains technologists, educators, mental health professionals, youth specialists, parents, and students around the world on how to promote the positive use of technology and build healthy online communities. Dr. Hinduja is frequently asked to provide expert commentary by news organizations, and his work has been featured in venues that include CNN, NPR, the BBC, and The New York Times. He has worked with numerous corporations (including Google, Snap, Twitch, Meta, TikTok, Intel, Johnson & Johnson, Merrill Lynch, Verizon, and Cartoon Network) and organizations (including the United Nations, the White House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Bank, the National Guard, the National PTA, and the Anti-Defamation League) on how best to shape policy, programs, and other initiatives. He has received Auburn University's Global Anti-Bullying Hero Award, won Florida Atlantic University's Researcher of the Year award, presented on cyberbullying at a Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill, testified in front of the Attorney General and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security, and served as a Fulbright Specialist Scholar at Dublin City University. Most recently, he has formally advised the Biden-Harris Administration’s Interagency Task Force on Kids Online Health & Safety. Dr. Hinduja is the Co-Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Bullying Prevention, published by Springer. He also has served as an expert witness for both national and international cases.
In my last piece, I discussed how some legislation in various US states has been proposed without careful consideration of the contributing factors of internalized and externalized harm among youth. More specifically, I expressed concern that the complexities surrounding why youth struggle emotionally and psychologically demand more than simplistic, largely unenforceable solutions. We recognize that…
There has been a flurry of activity related to new legislation intending to make social media and gaming platforms safer and more accountable to upholding expected standards of trust, security, transparency, and privacy. These laws are being proposed because of continued concern of possible ill effects of popular platforms on the well-being of young people.…
In the Spring of 2023, TikTok released a Research API to academic researchers in the United States in an effort to “enhance transparency with the research community” and “stay accountable to how we moderate and recommend content.”1 According to their documentation, approved access allows for the retrieval of: • Public account data, such as user…
Generative AI is revolutionizing the way that content is created as user-friendly tools have made their way into the hands of the masses around the world. The possibilities seem endless, and their application may impact almost every sector of society. Since the beginning of time, though, every novel technology suffused with promise also provides an…
As a social science researcher studying trust and safety on online platforms, it is critical to think through potential risks and negative impacts associated with the use of generative AI technologies. To be sure, its potential is incredible – and will benefit societal members in almost limitless ways. In this environment of giddy euphoria about…
I met Amelia when speaking at a high school in Central Florida, and was struck by her wide-angle view on the impact of social media in her life, and in the lives of her peers. I thought our readers could learn a lot from her insights, and so I asked her to provide this year’s…
Youth are accessing a remarkable number of mediums (often at the same time!), and are constantly exposed to a wide and deep array of content. This spans the gamut from texts and notifications, to TikTok videos and Snap(chat) stories, to Twitter Spaces and Discord chats. This tidal wave of content is not going to ebb.…
I have been increasingly concerned about rising levels of hate speech, hate crimes, racist bullying, and xenophobia – especially when considering how these behaviors online are linked to violence offline against marginalized groups. It isn’t just alarming, it’s frightening – especially being a minority and considering what my children may have to deal with while…
Arguably one of the biggest concerns of the metaverse, especially to law enforcement, parents, guardians, and caregivers of children, is the potential for pedophilia, online grooming, and child sexual exploitation. To be sure, the media is quick to focus on this hazard with any new environment (offline or online) that allows for adults and youth…
Hey all, let me introduce you to Emily, a student I’ve had the pleasure of connecting with over the past year. I asked her to give you all an updated perspective on how she (and her peers) are using the most popular apps out there, and provide some self-reflective observations that can clue you into…
youth and tech, cyberbullying, social media, gaming, generative AI harms, metaverse trust and safety, big data analytics to study UGC on platforms, sexting, digital dating abuse, content moderation, hate speech, threats
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2024). Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications (Corwin Press). 3rd Edition. ISBN: 1071916564.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2016). Bullying Today: Bulletpoints and Best Practices. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications (Corwin Press). ISBN: 978-1-5063-3597-1.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2015). Bullying Beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications (Corwin Press). 2nd Edition. ISBN: 1483349934.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2014). Words Wound: Delete Cyberbullying and Make Kindness Go Viral. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing. ISBN: 978-1575424514.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2014). A Leader Guide to Words Wound. Minneapolis, MN: Free Spirit Publishing.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2012). School Climate 2.0: Preventing Cyberbullying and Sexting One Classroom at a Time. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications (Corwin Press). ISBN: 1412997836.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2012). Cyberbullying Prevention and Response: Expert Perspectives. New York: Routledge. ISBN: 0415892376.
Hinduja, S. (2006). Music Piracy and Crime Theory. New York: LFB Scholarly, Inc. ISBN: 1593321244.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2023). Cyberbullying Among Asian American Youth Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Journal of School Health. Impact Factor: 2.460.
Patchin, J. W., Hinduja, S., & Meldrum, R. C. (2022). Digital Self-Harm and Suicidality Among Adolescents. Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Impact Factor: 2.175.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2022). Bias-Based Cyberbullying Among Early Adolescents: Associations with Cognitive and Affective Empathy. Journal of Early Adolescence, 42 (9) 1204–1235. Impact Factor: 2.477.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2022). Bullying and Cyberbullying Offending: The Influence of Six Parenting Dimensions Among US Youth. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31, 1454-1473. Impact Factor: 2.278.
Meldrum, R. C., Young, J. Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2021). Bullying Victimization, Negative Emotions, and Digital Self-Harm: Testing a Theoretical Model of Indirect Effects. Deviant Behavior, 43 (3), 303-321. Impact Factor: 1.982.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2021). Cyberbullying Among Tweens in the United States: Prevalence, Impact, and Helping Behaviors. Journal of Early Adolescence, 42 (3), 414-430. Impact Factor: 2.771. Lee, C., Patchin, J. W., Hinduja, S., Dischinger, A. (2020). Bullying and Delinquency: The Impact of Anger and Frustration. Violence and Victims, 35 (4), 503-523. Journal Impact Factor: 1.393.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2020). Digital Dating Abuse Among a National Sample of U.S. Youth. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 36 (23-24), 11088-11108. Impact Factor: 3.064.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2020). It’s Time to Teach Safe Sexting. Journal of Adolescent Health, 66 (2), 140-143. Journal Impact Factor: 4.021.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2019). The Nature and Extent of Sexting Among Middle and High School Students. Archives of Sexual Behavior, 48, 2333-2343. Impact Factor: 3.223
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2018). Sextortion Among Adolescents: Results from a National Survey of U.S. Youth. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 32 (1), 30-54. Impact Factor: 4.195.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2018). Connecting Adolescent Suicide to the Severity of Bullying and Cyberbullying. Journal of School Violence. 1-14. Online First. Journal Impact Factor: 1.901.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2018). Deterring Teen Bullying: Assessing the Impact of Perceived Punishment From Police, Schools, and Parents. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 16 (2), 190-207. Impact Factor: 2.372.
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2017). Digital Self-Harm. Journal of Adolescent Health, 61, 761-766. Journal Impact Factor: 3.974
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2017). Cultivating Youth Resilience to Prevent Bullying and Cyberbullying Victimization. Child Abuse & Neglect, 73, 51-62. Journal Impact Factor: 2.293
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2015). Defining Cyberbullying: Implications for Research. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 23, 69-74. Journal Impact Factor: 1.928
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying among Adolescents: Implications for Empirical Research. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(4), 431-432. Journal Impact Factor: 3.974
Patchin, J. W., Schafer, J. A., & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying and Sexting: Law Enforcement Perceptions. FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin.
Sabella, R. A., Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying myths and realities. Computers in Human Behavior, 29(6), 2703-2711. Journal Impact Factor: 3.435
Hinduja, S. & Kooi, B. (2013). Curtailing Cyber and Information Security Vulnerabilities through Situational Crime Prevention. Security Journal, 26(4):383-402. Journal Impact Factor: 0.978
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2013). Social Influences on Cyberbullying Behaviors Among Middle and High School Students. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42 (5), 711-722. Journal Impact Factor: 3.284
Hinduja, S. (2012). The Heterogeneous Engineering of Music Piracy. Policy & Internet, 4 (3), 229-248. Journal Impact Factor: 2.29
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2012). School-based Efforts to Prevent Cyberbullying. Prevention Researcher, 19 (3), 7-9.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2012). Cyberbullying: Neither an Epidemic Nor a Rarity. European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9 (5), 539-543. Journal Impact Factor: 1.302
Hinduja, S. (2012). General Strain, Self-Control, and Music Piracy. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 6 (1), 95167.
Hinduja, S. & Higgins, G. E. (2011). Trends and patterns among music pirates. Deviant Behavior, 32, 16. Journal Impact Factor: 1.052
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2011). Traditional and nontraditional bullying among youth: A test of general strain theory. Youth and Society, 43 (2) 727-751. Journal Impact Factor: 1.608
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2011). Cyberbullying: A review of the legal issues facing educators. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 55(2), 71-78.
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2011). High-tech cruelty. Educational Leadership, 68(5), 48-52. Journal Impact Factor: .194
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2011). Cyberbullying and Self-Esteem. Journal of School Health, 80 (12), 614-621. Journal Impact Factor: 1.749
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2010). Changes in Adolescent Online Social Networking Behaviors from 2006 to 2009. Computers in Human Behavior, 26, 1818821 Journal Impact Factor: 3.435
Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2010). Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 14 (3), 206-221. Journal Impact Factor: 1.901
Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2010). Trends in online social networking: Adolescent use of MySpace over time. New Media and Society. 12(2) 19716. Journal Impact Factor: 2.524Published 8 books, 10 peer-reviewed book chapters, and 50+ academic journal articles
Publications have been cited approximately 22,000 times as of July 2023
Keynoting the 2023 SEL Summer Institute, Cambridge, MA
Keynoted the FADSS Spring Leadership Conference, Orlando, FL
Keynoted the 2022 PUCO Forum on Preventing Youth Cyber Violence, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Keynoted the 2022 RAISE Digital Safety Conference, Lehi, Utah
Keynoted for the World Bank in 2021 to educate parents on youth technology misuse
Keynoted the 2021 COST 18115 European Conference discussing the intersection of cyberbullying and migrant children
Keynoted the 2021 No More Harm Conference, Melbourne, Australia
Keynoted the 2020 New York Jets Fifth Annual “Jets Tackle Bullying” Educators Conference
Keynoted the 2020 University of Buffalo Bullying Summit
Keynoted the 2020 Nebraska School Safety and Security conference
Keynoted the 2019 eSafety Conference, Sydney, Australia
Keynoted the 2018 Association of Middle-Level Education annual conference
FAU Presidential Award Winner for Outstanding Faculty-Led Community Engagement in Service, 2018
Co-Founder and Co-Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Bullying Prevention (Springer Publications)
2017 Fulbright Specialist Award Winner (one of five worldwide)
Keynoted the 2017 World Anti-Bullying Forum
Keynoted Auburn University's 2016 Anti-Bullying Summit
Keynoted the International Bullying Prevention Association's 2016 annual conference
Spoke on School Safety and Violence at Congressional Briefing on Capitol Hill in February, 2015
Co-authored a white paper on cyberbullying for the White House
Appointed Board Member of the International Bullying Prevention Association
Appointed Board Member of Hack Harassment
Appointed Board Member of BeStrong
Spoke at TEDx in 2015 (Comparing Ourselves to Others)
Spoke at TEDx in 2014 (The Lost Art of Listening)
Michigan State University's Distinguished Young Alumni Award, 2014
Listen Learn Care Award from the Office Depot Foundation, 2014
Children's Wireless Safety Achievement Award from the Wireless Foundation, 2014
Spoke at TEDx in 2013 (Single-Minded Focus)
Auburn University's Global Anti-Bullying Hero Award, 2015Michigan State University's Commencement Speaker, 2013
Michigan State University's School of Criminal Justice Wall of Fame inductee, 2012
FAU's Teacher of the Year Award, 2011
FAU's Excellence and Innovation in Teaching Award, 2015
FAU's Researcher of the Year Award, 2015, 2010
FAU's Freshman Convocation Speaker, 2010
Professionally, I spend my time researching, identifying, and sharing best practices to promote trust, safety, security, and transparency so that everyone online has healthy, productive experiences, and that online harms do not lead to offline victimization. I work with users, platforms, families, schools, communities, and governmental organizations on issues like education, quantitative and qualitative studies, policy development, design and engineering, programmatic initiatives, messaging campaigns, and more. My focus over the last few years has been on new forms of harassment, metaverse trust and safety, generative AI harms, big data analyses, social and emotional learning through emerging tech, and formal and informal methods to encourage civility and upstanding behaviors. Generally, I'm tackling questions like:
I am passionate about my work, and truly love what I do.
Personally, I simply like to live my life in a way that keeps me joyful and young at heart, and helps me to continually see the world and the people in it with awe, wonder, reverence, and thankfulness. As I get older, I have to be so intentional to guard against cynicism, busyness, pettiness, pride, apathy, and ingratitude. Life is rough and entropy is real, and if I don't actively fight against that tide, everything becomes a chore. And I don't want that.
Spending time with God, family, and friends
Investing in others
Hiking
Rock climbing
Snowboarding
Exploring and adventuring
Missions trips
Acoustic guitar
Writing songs and poems
Blogging
Ultimate frisbee
St. Louis Cardinals
Kansas City Chiefs
St. Louis Blues
San Antonio Spurs
Clean water in India
Florida Atlantic University
5353 Parkside Drive
Jupiter, FL 33458
USA
(getting too many spam calls - message me to set up a time to talk)