Network battles bullying

Associated Press

NEW YORK

The popular children’s television network Nickelodeon is the latest voice to raise awareness of digital bullying.

Nick, the most-watched TV network among kids age 2 to 14, will begin an on-air public-service campaign Monday featuring some of its stars offering advice on what young people should do when confronted with hostile texts, e-mails or Facebook posts.

The advice offered in one ad featuring Ashley Argota of “True Jackson, VP” and Gage Golightly of “The Troop”: Sign off the computer; don’t reply to a hostile messenger; block bullies from access; make a copy of the message to show to an adult you trust.

“It’s not tattle-telling,” Golightly says. “It’s standing up for yourself.”

The issue has received national attention after the suicides of teenagers who were cyberbullying victims. President Barack Obama had a White House conference on bullying earlier this month. Nick is collaborating with the advocacy group Common Sense Media, which also has worked with MTV and the Disney Channel on spreading the word about the issue.

Miranda Cosgrove and Nathan Kress of Nick’s “ICarly” also are participating in the campaign, which will last for two years, said Marva Smalls, Nick’s executive vice president for public affairs.

“We are happy that our talent agreed to be a part of it because that would make it resonate even more for kids,” Smalls said.