teacher | learner | writer | photographer | thinker | runner | seeker

Hello! Thanks for stopping by my site. I am a professor of criminal justice at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. I earned a Ph.D. in criminal justice from Michigan State University in 2004. Since 2002, my research has explored the intersection of teens and technology, with particular focus on cyberbullying, social networking, and sexting. I frequently travel around the United States (and abroad) training educators, counselors, law enforcement officers, parents, and youth on how to prevent the misuse of technology. 

I also co-founded and co-direct the Cyberbullying Research Center with my good friend Sameer Hinduja. I've written nine books (eight with Sameer) and numerous academic and professional articles on adolescent behaviors online. My first book with Sameer: “Bullying beyond the Schoolyard: Preventing and Responding to Cyberbullying” was named Education Book of the Year in 2009 by ForeWord Reviews. The third edition of this book which came out in 2023. Our book: “Words Wound: Delete Cyberbullying and Make Kindness Go Viral” was written to help teens navigate challenging online problems in a positive way. You can see all of my books here. I've been lucky to have been invited to speak at some pretty cool places, including the White House and the FBI Academy. I've also appeared on CNN, NPR, and in the New York Times to discuss the issues associated with teens use and misuse of technology.

In my spare time (what spare time!), I enjoy being in the outdoors with my family and two German shorthaired pointers: Lucy and Hazel.