Sameer Hinduja, Ph.D.

Professor. Speaker. Researcher. Author.

INTRODUCTION

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 risks and harms of emerging technologies on populations of youth, and the individual, social, familial, and community-level factors that can serve as protective assets. He has written eight books, and his interdisciplinary research has been cited over 25,000 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, build healthy online communities, and foster well-being. His studies have explored the impact of empathy, resilience, hope, climate and culture, deterrence strategies, social norms, parenting dimensions, peer-led initiatives, the role of a variety of stakeholders including law enforcement and online platforms, and more. 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 Federal Trade Commission, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, 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.

WORKED WITH

AARP.png ADL.png AIG.png AISNE.png AMLE Logo.png Apple.png AppsFlyer.png Boys & Girls Clubs Of America.png CTIA.png Cartoon Network.png FBI.png Fidelity Investments.png Fulbright Program.png Google.png Harvard University.png Instagram.png Intel.png Johnson & Johnson Logo.png Jostens.png LexisNexis.png Merrill.png Meta Platforms.png NAIS.jpg NCEA.png NIH.png NSCC Logo.png National Crime Prevention Council.png National District Attorney Association.png National Guard.png National PTA Logo.png OJJDP.png Office Depot OfficeMax.jpg RSA Security.png Recode.png Roblox.png SAMHSA.png Scholastic.png Snapchat.png TABS.png TEDX Logo.png Teleperformance.png TikTok.png Twitch.png United Nations.jpg Verizon.png White House.png World Bank Group.png World Economic Forum.png X.png YouTube.png

WHAT'S NEW

RECENT MEDIA MENTIONS

October 23, 2024 Study reveals hidden risks of immersive digital environments for young users MSN
October 22, 2024 Bullying e assédio: estudo aponta riscos do metaverso para jovens dos EUA CNN Brasil
October 22, 2024 Dangers of the metaverse and VR for US youth revealed in new research Tech Xplore
October 22, 2024 Dangers of the metaverse and VR for US youth revealed in new research ScienceDaily
August 22, 2024 Chris Olsen, nude photos and when gay men tear each other down USA Today
July 30, 2024 Digital Self Harm Rising Among Teenagers Theravive
July 20, 2024 On the Radar: ‘Pebbling,’ Digital Self-Harm and ‘Septum Arms’ Plugged In
July 13, 2024 The worrying rise in digital self-harm among young people INQUIRER.NET
July 12, 2024 The worrying rise in digital self-harm among young people MSN
July 10, 2024 Research highlights upward trajectory of digital self-harm among US teens from 2016 to 2021 Medical Xpress
July 09, 2024 Digital self-harm surging among teens: Why are children bullying themselves? StudyFinds
June 16, 2024 Computer says yes: how AI is changing our romantic lives The Guardian
May 09, 2024 What Is Doxxing, and How Can Educators Protect Their Privacy Online? Education Week
Apr 12, 2024 Instagram to test blurring nudity in messages to protect teens from sextortion NBC News
Apr 12, 2024 Instagram Targets Teen Sextortion Scammers With Nude Image Filter For Direct Messages Forbes
Mar 11, 2024 The Race to Detect AI-Generated Content and Tackle Harms Tech Policy Press
Mar 13, 2024 University of North Carolina System Banning Apps Over Cyberbullying Inside Higher Ed
Jan 1, 2024 5 ways to help boys cultivate friends and combat loneliness CNN
Nov 9, 2023 Thinking Through Generative AI Harms Among Users on Online Platforms Berkman Klein Center
Oct 30, 2023 School of Education hosts World Anti-Bullying Forum for first time outside Europe The Daily Tar Heel
Oct 2, 2023 ‘IDK what to do’: Thousands of teen boys are being extorted in sexting scams The Washington Post

RECENT BLOG POSTS

VITAE

RESEARCH INTERESTS

youth and tech, well-being, mental and behavioral health, social media, gaming, online harms, generative AI harms, metaverse trust and safety, big data, sexting, digital dating abuse, content moderation, hate speech, threats

BOOKS

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.

SELECTED JOURNAL ARTICLES

Hinduja, S. & Patchin, J. W. (2024). Metaverse Risks and Harms Among a National Sample of US Youth. New Media and Society. Impact Factor: 4.5.

Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2024). Addressing Youth Sexting Through Rational Legislation and Education. Journal of Adolescent Health, 74 (4), 530–532. Impact Factor: 5.5.

Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2024). Adolescent Digital Self-Harm Over Time: Prevalence and Perspectives. Journal of School Violence, 23 (4), 542–554. Impact Factor: 2.4.

Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2024). The Nature and Extent of Youth Sextortion: Legal Implications and Directions for Future Research. Behavioral Sciences and the Law, 42 (4), 401–416. Impact Factor: 1.4.

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: 2.524

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

  • Florida Atlantic University
    Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2013 to present
    Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2009 to 2013
    Undergraduate Coordinator, School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2010 to 2012
    Assistant Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice, 2004 to 2009
  • Cyberbullying Research Center
    Co-Director, 2008 to present
    Berkman Klein Center, Harvard University
    Faculty Associate, 2020 to present
  • Center for Cryptology and Information Security
    Faculty Member, 2012 to present

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Presents to tens of thousands of educators, parents, and youth each year on bullying, cyberbullying, sexting, safe social media use, and emerging tech

Published 8 books, 10 peer-reviewed book chapters, and 60+ academic journal articles

Publications have been citedover 25,000 times as of October 2024

Keynoted the 2024 Maryland Center for School Safety Conference

Keynoted the 2024 Florida School Safety Summit

Presented at NIH's 2024 “Impact of Technology and Digital Media on Child and Adolescent Development and Mental Health” workshop

Keynoted the 2024 REACH Violence Prevention Conference, El Paso, TX

Keynoted the 2024 Bullying Free Annual School Conference, Tallinn, Estonia

Keynoted the 2023 ECPAT Taiwan's International Conference on Child Online Safety, Taipei City, Taiwan

Keynoted the 2023 World Anti-Bullying Forum, Raleigh, NC

Keynoted the 2023 Seminole County Student Leader Summit, Orlando, FL

Keynoted the 2023 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)

Testified on cyberbullying and school safety in front of the Attorney General and the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Homeland Security

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, 2015

Michigan 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

PROFILE

ABOUT ME

Professionally, I spend my time researching, identifying, and sharing best practices to promote well-being, 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, positive psychological assets, and formal and informal methods to encourage civility and upstanding behaviors. Generally, I'm tackling questions like:

  • "What are the latest technology trends, and in what environments are they occurring?"
  • "What does the latest research say online abuse and misuse, and its causes, correlates, and consequences?"
  • "What needs to be done to support the mental health and well-being of youth online?
  • "Are certain populations of youth disproportionately vulnerable, and how can we meet their needs?
  • "What prevention and response strategies are emerging worldwide, and how can they be applied in specific settings?"
  • "How can we promote civility, safety, privacy, and security in a variety of connected spaces?"
  • "What deterrent methods are most effective - and which are useless - in forestalling harmful behavior online?"
  • "How can platforms support and empower their userbase and build healthier online communities?"
  • "How should companies use research, education, and in-app features to reduce victimization and promote positive experiences?"
  • "How can the public sector and private sector successfully co-lobor towards meaningful tech solutions that serve society?
  • "What are the roles of pediatricians, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and other stakeholders?"
  • "How can we foster greater civility, digital citizenship, and media literacy on a micro- and macro-level?"
  • "How can we increase empathy, resilience, altruism, self-control, and hope online and offline?"
  • "How can we enlist and inspire youth to lead the way?"

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.

Interests

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

WHAT IS MY FAVORITE...

Food

I'm up for anything, but I always enjoy seafood. Raw or cooked. If we get together, let's go to a great seafood joint!

Book

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. It helps me to think about life as an adventure, to know which battles are worth fighting for, and to continually pursue intimacy and health in my romantic relationship.

Trait

Thoughtfulness. Especially since it seems to be waning, perhaps because everyone is increasingly busy. I hope to always be thoughtful towards everyone I meet - strangers, new colleagues, new friends, family, anyone. I hope to be remembered for my thoughtfulness.

Song

Charlie Puth's newest album is catchy and fun. Check it out and let me know what you think!

Sculpture

Desolation, by Joseph Llimona, is a piece I’m often reminded of. I recall individuals who have spent their life admirably pouring themselves out for others, and – along the way – lose their joie de vivre in the process. They are left, in truth, desolate. Perhaps this happen s to all of us, but it is heartbreaking to consider and reflect upon.

Place

The Galapagos.

Memory

Seeing a moose for the first time, in the middle of a lake, in the middle of Rocky Mountain National Forest in August 2019. It exited the lake right past me and entered the woods behind me. It was the most magical moment I've ever had.

Movie

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

CONTACT

Sameer Hinduja

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