October 23, 2025 | 4 - 4:30 p.m. ET
When the internet and social media first emerged, bullying evolved into cyberbullying, changing how students experience conflict online. Now, with the rise of A.I., cyberbullying is evolving again. Deepfakes can impact reputations and create lasting consequences for both those targeted and those who create them. This new reality gives schools an opportunity to proactively equip students, educators, and families with the skills and strategies to navigate these challenges safely and responsibly.
This National Cyberbullying Prevention Month, join The Social Institute’s Founder & CEO, Laura Tierney, and educational leadership Ph.D candidate and former educator, Sergio Alexander, to explore proactive strategies for building safer, more supportive learning environments. Sergio’s research explores the psychological, educational, technological, and legal ramifications of deepfake cyberbullying, giving schools practical ideas to address it.
Key Takeaways:
- The latest research on how deepfakes intersect with student life
- Practical ways to empower students to “cyberback” and support their peers
- Research-driven insights on the psychological, educational, tech, and legal dimensions of deepfakes in schools
- Tools and policy approaches that help schools turn challenges into opportunities for safer, stronger communities
Featured Presenters
Sergio Alexander is an educator and researcher at Texas Christian University whose work examines the intersection of technology, education, and student well-being. His recent publication on deepfake cyberbullying has been recognized for spotlighting the psychological and educational risks of AI-driven harassment and the urgent need for digital literacy. Through both research and practice, Sergio partners with schools and organizations to develop strategies that strengthen resilience, safety, and trust in digital spaces. He is committed to bridging cutting-edge scholarship with real-world solutions that prepare students and educators for the challenges of an increasingly connected world.
Laura Tierney is the Founder and CEO of The Social Institute, the leader in equipping students, families, and educators with modern life skills to impact learning, well-being, and students’ futures and creator of #WinAtSocial, a gamified, peer-to-peer learning platform that equips school communities to navigate social media, technology, like A.I., and student well-being — online and offline — in positive, high-character ways. Their positive, student-led approach has been applauded by Melinda Gates on X (previously Twitter) and featured by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, and USA Today. Laura got her first phone at age 13 and went on to become a four-time Duke All-American, Duke’s Athlete of the Decade, and a social media strategist for leading brands before founding The Social Institute.