Cyber-bullying work wins award for student

Cyber-bullying work wins award for student

3 July 2013

BALLYNAHINCH student Ryan Nixon, who founded a Facebook campaign to help victims of cyber-bullying, has become the first winner of a major entrepreneurial spirit award.

The award has been developed by the University of Ulster Business School in partnership with the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.

Ryan, who is studying at the University of Ulster, set up Bullying by Social Networking Awareness (BSNA) in October last year as his response to the YouTube video by Canadian student Amanda Todd who took her own life following her experience of online bullying.

As part of his award, Ryan receives a bursary to cover the entire cost of studying his Master’s degree programme in Business Development and Innovation. He will also take part in a mentoring programme which includes support from a Northern Ireland business for six months.

Outlining his plans to develop BSNA which has 2,500 members, Ryan explained that in addition to being a support for victims, he would like it to become a social enterprise which would support and raise awareness of cyber-bullying through school presentations, parent workshops, counselling services, a 24/7 helpline and merchandising.

The judges were impressed by Ryan’s commitment to develop the campaign as a social enterprise.

Dr. Laura Bradley, from the Ulster Business School at the UUJ’s Magee campus, said Ryan “clearly reflected” the characteristics of the entrepreneurial spirit award.

She continued: “Ryan is determined to make a difference in a challenging area in the third sector by using his own experiences and knowledge. His engagement with the Masters programme will add to his business knowledge and skills which, combined with his own characteristics, should be a formula for success.”

Ryan has achieved a 2:1 having completed a BSc Honours degree in Management and Leadership Development. He now plans to take a Masters degree to help develop his Facebook campaign Bullying by Social Networking Awareness.