Adina's Deck Review and Giveaway

Growing up, I loved going to school. It's one of the reasons being a teacher is a perfect fit for me. However, when I went to school, I felt safe. I loved learning and hanging out with my friends. I realize now, that for some kids, school is not a safe environment for them because of bullying. Bullying comes in many forms. Last year, my son (who was in kindergarten) did not like going to lunch because his friends would take his cookies. He actually asked me not to pack cookies because of it. Being a middle school teacher, it amazes me how mean kids can be to each other. And it is so easy these days because of our technology (especially between texting and facebook).

Recently, I was asked to review a DVD on Cyber Bullying, called Adina's Deck, and I jumped at the chance. I have been to one conference this year on bullying, and I am signed up to take another one because I want to learn how to help my students with this issue. Adina's Deck is actually an Internet Safety DVD Project addressing the issues of Cyber Bullying, Online Predators, and Plagiarism.

Here is a little about Cyber Bullying from the press release:

Cyber bullying is defined as the act of harassing, threatening or humiliating someone via the Internet, interactive and digital technologies, and/or mobile phones. According to a 2007 Study from the Pew Internet/American Life Project, about one third (32%) of all teenagers who use the internet say they have been targets of a range of annoying and potentially menacing online activities. Such activities include receiving threatening messages, having their private emails or text messages forwarded without consent, having embarrassing pictures posted without permission, or having rumors about them spread online.

I received Episode 1: Skyes Cyber Bullying Mystery. Here is a brief synopsis from their website:

When Skye, the most popular girl in the 8th grade, starts to receive threatening emails, text messages and voice-mails, she doesn't know what to do. Her best friend Melody asks the tech-savvy Adina for help. When Adina says yes, her friend Clara is confused. Skye is stuck up, and has never been nice to them in the past, so why is Adina helping her? After an adventure, the girls learn about more than just the bullies identity, they learn about friendship and growing up in the digital age of technology.

Here is the trailer:



My thoughts: I am very concerned with the issue of bullying in our schools. The internet is not always safe for students because it is so easy to post negative comments about each other on facebook. This video shows that it is important to get help if you are being cyber bullied. I think some students do not know where to go to get help. I also do not think that the bullies realize the consequences of their actions. Some students have committed suicide because they were bullied. I think that this video is a great starting point to begin talking about Cyber Bullying with kids.

Interested in showing this video to your children? I have a link for parent pricing here.

Win it: Adina's Deck has offered to giveaway a copy of their DVD to one lucky reader.

Mandatory Entry: Visit Adina's Deck and leave me a comment letting me know something you learned from their website.

Extra Entries:
1) Become a follower of my blog through google connect (this counts if you are already a follower too.)
2) "Like" Dealightfully Frugal on facebook and leave your username.
3) "Like"Adina's Deck on facebook and leave your username.
4) Follow me on Twitter and leave your username.
5) Follow Adina's Deck on Twitter and leave your username.

Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each entry, as well as your email in one of the comments.

This giveaway will end April 18, 2011 at 11:59 pm(EST). The giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using random.org and will be notified by email. The winner will then have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

Disclosure: I received a copy of the DVD to review. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and are my honest opinion of the product.