Note: Although created in 2013 & 2014, Cyber Tyger & Trollum have never been formally designed; to one day be published and implemented throughout K-5 grade schools and other early childhood learning environments. The goal is to design & share these characters, at no cost, to citizens of the Information Age. Interested parties wanting to volunteer their time with Dr. Nuccitelli can call him in NYC at 347-871-2416. “Take a Megabyte out of Cybercrime” Cyber Tyger
Cyber Tyger and Trollum
by Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D.
Cyber Tyger and Trollum are two concepts, mascots and characters designed to teach young children, (K-6), internet safety and cyber-attack prevention practices. Cyber Tyger and Trollum are characters developed by this writer, Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D., serving as the classic archetypes of Hero vs. Villain. Cyber Tyger is a “Pediatric Internet Safety Superhero” and Trollum is a “Pediatric Internet Troll Super Villain”. While Cyber Tyger travels throughout cyberspace and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) channels helping children, Trollum uses the same digital and electronic avenues to, directly and indirectly, harm and lie to children and their parents. Cyber Tyger and Trollum are archetypes that fall under this writer’s concept of Information Age Education. A brief definition of Information Age Education is as follows:
Information Age Education (IAE): Information Age Education (IAE) is a cyber-attack prevention paradigm offering a solution to reducing the negative consequences of living in the Information Age. The Information Age and ICT present positive and negative influences upon humanity in which the negative aspects grow at a feverish pace. IAE prioritizes prevention education, family values and humility as solutions to what this writer has stated, “Connecting the disconnected, educating the ignorant, and conquering the corrupt“. IAE staunchly recommends the practice of cyber-attack prevention education, internet safety, non-denominational family values and humility.
Integral, if not the foremost component in the goal of slowing the trajectory of the societal disconnection process, is the active participation of educational systems, religious organizations, service organizations and positive pro-social public figures. Although it is impossible for any person, group or nation to be absolutely insulated from being cyber attacked or targeted for nefarious and malevolent reasons, the odds and probability thereof can certainly be reduced through IAE.
Cyber Tyger, Trollum & Cyber Justice League
For children interested in fighting Trollum and other online child assailants, they can join Cyber Tyger by becoming a member of the Cyber Justice League. As a member of the Cyber Justice League, children learn to protect themselves, help Cyber Tyger defeat Trollum, and most importantly, help other children who are being targeted by cyberbullies and internet trolls. In addition to online safety and protection, Cyber Tyger and Trollum teach young children about the importance of Digital Citizenship, Netiquette and Internet Addiction Prevention. An idea for consideration is offering a means for children to contact their school via a Cyber Justice League web page their school offers at their website. If the school does not have a website, a free social networking site page can be set up allowing children a confidential way to contact them.
Cyber Tyger, Trollum, iPredator and this writer’s related concepts and definitions are presented for consideration. Cyber Tyger and Trollum are public domain characters designed for educational purposes exactly as Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog.
Although this writer created the archetypes of Cyber Tyger & Trollum to instruct young children about the dangers lurking in cyberspace, his goal is not for financial gain using these characters. This writer’s mission is not the commercialization of Cyber Tyger and Troll Man, but to alert humankind of the need to address online harm, victimization, deception, and disconnectedness growing at a rapid pace throughout all Information Age societies. Just as Smokey the Bear and McGruff the Crime Dog, Cyber Tyger and Troll Man are public domain, free to all online users and require no permission or consent to reproduce or share. Not allowed is attempting to claim exclusive copyright to Cyber Tyger and Troll Man or engaging in plagiarism.
Internet Safety Characters
for
Kids
The goal of Cyber Tyger, Trollum and this page is to encourage Information Age adults to develop and implement strategies that teaches children to prioritize internet safety, learning how to recognize iPredators and why it important to behave appropriately online and when using ICT. The concepts of Cyber Tyger and Trollum were developed by this writer, Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D., a NYS licensed psychologist and Cyberpsychology researcher. As the author of this article, this writer believes it is vital to teach children adaptive online and ICT behaviors before they reach adolescence. It is well documented by research that early childhood education and experiences have lifelong impact upon their intrapersonal and interpersonal dynamics.
“Contemporary society is living at the beginning of the Information Age when there are few internet laws, guidelines or proverbial “moral commandments” to be followed, expected or encouraged by humankind. Until that day comes, prevention education of society’s children is the first step to reducing the future large scales cyber terrorist attacks upon communities and nations.“ Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D. (2014)
It has been posited by this writer that educating young children about appropriate online behaviors and adaptive ICT usage will reduce their risk of becoming an iPredator throughout adolescence and adulthood. Online sexual predation, cyberstalking, cyberbullying, internet trolling and cybercrime are examples of iPredator typologies that can be introduced to young children and still be developmentally appropriate for their age range by using the Cyber Tyger and Trollum.
Who is Cyber Tyger?
Cyber Tyger: Cyber Tyger (aka, Cybr Tygrrrrrr!) is a young white tiger superhero who protects young kids online (K-6). Cyber Tyger helps protect kids from cyberbullies and the dangers of cyberspace. When he was born, the doctors used digital technology to help his mother’s birth, which gave him super cyber powers. Cyber Tyger and his adversaries, including his archenemy Trollum, were originally conceived in 2011 to educate young kids about internet safety and cyber-attack prevention.
At present, Trollum & Cyber Tyger remain as concepts with everything but final character designs. Once graphic designs of Cyber Tyger, Trollum and other related characters have been created, they will be ready for online and offline publication. Dr. Nuccitelli plans on offering these characters, at no cost, to elementary schools, parents and primary caregivers. Whereas Cyber Tyger’s hero, McGruff the crime dog says, “Take a Bite out of Crime“, Cyber Tyger’s motto is “Take a Megabyte out of Cybercrime.” Until Dr. Nuccitelli creates his own website, information about Cyber Tyger can be accessed at his iPredator page by clicking here: www.CyberTyger.org
Who is Trollum?
Trollum: Trollum is a pediatric internet troll villain, internet safety character, online scoundrel and enemy of the internet safety superhero, Cyber Tyger, for children (K-6). Cyber Tyger and his adversaries, including Trollum’s profile, were originally conceived in 2011 to educate young children about internet safety and cyber-attack prevention. As a Cyborg with digital powers, Trollum travels through cyberspace cheating, lying and stealing from online users. Once a child opens his “iTroll” email attachments, they cannot escape unless helped by Cyber Tyger. Trollum is most dangerous when using his shape shifting powers for online deception. At present, Trollum & Cyber Tyger remains as concepts with everything but final character designs. Once graphic designs of Cyber Tyger, Trollum and other related characters have been created, they will be ready for online and offline publication.
In cyberspace, Trollum can turn himself into almost perfect replicas of his target’s online friends, loved ones and teachers. He can also shape shift into different digital devices and software programs. Although he is stuck in cyberspace and can never leave, Trollum wants to rule the earth. To make sure he stays locked online, Cyber Tyger & his cyber safety savvy legion of kids work hard to prevent his escape. By protecting and teaching other online users about cyberbullying, cybercrime, cyberstalking, internet trolling, cyber harassment, internet addiction and online deception, the Cyber Justice League keeps Troll Man trapped online. iPredator Inc. plans on offering Trollum and his related characters, at no cost, to elementary schools, parents and primary caregivers.
Note: Cyber Tyger and Trollum are internet safety characters that have changed names, histories, appearances and back-stories multiple times since 2011. Initially, Cyber Tyger was a white panther and Trollum resembled the Joker character from Batman. Until this writer and his associates all agree upon their final presentation best suited for young children, there is a good chance changes will occur. Dr. Nuccitelli’s goal is to have final vector images by 2022 with public availability for all online users at no cost. If the reader is adept at graphic design or knows a professional who would be an excellent participant, Dr. Nuccitelli would be thankful to contact us with ideas.
Dr. Nuccitelli’s internet safety themed content and images are public domain and free to download at no cost or requiring contact information. However, he does not allow plagiarism or claims that parties other than him are the authors. All concepts, constructs and assessments are protected by copyright and the intellectual property of Dr. Nuccitelli if it is determined that they are being used for harmful purposes.
Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D.
Michael Nuccitelli, Psy.D. is a NYS licensed psychologist, cyberpsychology researcher and online safety educator. In 2009, Dr. Nuccitelli finalized his dark side of cyberspace concept called iPredator. Since 2010, he has advised those seeking information about cyberbullying, cyberstalking, cybercriminal minds, internet addiction and his Dark Psychology concept. By day Dr. Nuccitelli is a practicing psychologist, clinical supervisor and owner of MN Psychological Services, PLLC. After work and on the weekends, he volunteers helping online users who have been cyber-attacked. Dr. Nuccitelli’s is always available to interested parties and the media at no cost. This website and everything created by Dr. Nuccitelli is educational, free and public domain.
