WHOO WHOO ARE WE?
CyberWise is a resource site for BUSY grownups seeking to help youth use tech safely and wisely. It was founded in 2011 by Diana Graber and Cynthia Lieberman after they received M.A. degrees in Media Psychology and Social Change, a pioneering field that focuses on how human behavior is affected by media. They ​decided to put their academic work and entertainment/media experience to work to benefit parents and kids.
Today Cyberwise is the companion site to Cyber Civics™, the middle school digital literacy program taught in 48 US states and internationally. Parents can learn more in the book by founder Diana Graber, "Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology" (HarperCollins Leadership, '19).
MEET THE TEAM
DIANA GRABER
Diana is the author of "Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology" (HarperCollins Leadership '19), founder of CyberWise and Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy curriculum. Graber was a sports media producer for years before earning an M.A. in “Media Psychology & Social Change.” Her paper, "Media Literacy Education: A Developmental Approach," published in the Journal of Media Literacy Education (JMLE, '12), provided the impetus for creating Cyber Civics at Journey School, a public charter Waldorf school in Aliso Viejo, CA, where her own children were enrolled.
Today Cyber Civics is taught in schools in 48 US states and internationally, and it was honored as an "Innovation in Education" finalist by Project Tomorrow and the O.C. Tech Alliance. In 2017, Graber received the "2017 Media Literacy Teacher Award" from the National Association for Media Literacy Education (NAMLE). She is a regular contributor to Psychology Today and other publications, and has appeared widely in the media, including the Today Show, NBC Nightly News, and others. She's been an Adjunct Professor of Media Psychology, presents to schools and community organizations across the US, and conducts teacher workshops. Diana earned a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and a M.A. in Media Psychology & Social Change from UCLA/Fielding Graduate University. Visit her press page.
PETER KELLEY
Cyber Civics Outreach Director
Contact by Email
Peter joined the team in 2016 with experience in both education and marketing. He has always had a passion for teaching and working with kids and in 2011 made the switch from the business sector and earned his Single Subject Teaching Credential in English. He was a teacher and head coach for both the Boys and Girls Tennis Programs at Aliso Viejo High School in Aliso Viejo, CA for the next 6 years. Peter now serves as Outreach Director for Cyber Civics, where he is in constant contact with schools helping them onboard and implement the middle school curriculum. He also teaches Cyber Civics at Journey School, and makes presentations to schools and organizations. He resides in San Clemente, CA with his wife and two young children and feels this is “the perfect fit” for his passions and skill sets. Peter earned a degree in Communication from the University of Portland in 2001.
CONNOR COHEN
Marketing Manager
Connor joined the Cyber Civics team in 2023 with experience in both social work and marketing. In 2020 he earned his LMSW in Texas where he worked as a therapist in a private practice. He made the switch from direct practice to marketing and worked with therapists to help market the profession and practice. Connor now works for Cyber Civics and Cyberwise. After earning his Bachelors in English, Political Science and Counseling from the University of North Texas, he went on to receive his Masters in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington. Continuing his studies, he earned a certificate in Digital Marketing from the University of Texas in 2022.
SONI ALBRIGHT
Curriculum Specialist & Enrollment Manager
Contact by Email
Soni Albright is an experienced educator and curriculum design specialist with over 23 years of teaching experience across various educational settings, including Montessori, Waldorf, charter, and public schools. She is dedicated to creating dynamic, standards-driven curricula that empower students through media literacy. Soni holds a B.A. in Education and Fine Arts and is advancing her expertise through graduate studies in Special Education. Her educational focus is on media literacy and curriculum design for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Soni collaborates with the Cyber Civics team to edit and update the curriculum, ensuring that content remains fresh and relevant to the evolving needs of students in today’s fast-paced media landscape. Soni lives in Minnesota with her husband and their four digital citizens.
TESTIMONIALS
"'No grownup left behind' is music to a parent's ears."
GETTING SMART
"Cyberwise is a valuable resource for any adult or child looking to expand their knowledge of web tools."
ELECTRONIC PARENTING
"If Cyber Civics or digital literacy is offered in your school or community, sign the kids up. If not, parents can check out learning tools on sites such as Cyberwise.org, which offer a range of lessons on digital safety and online citizenship."
CNN
"Your presentation and resources were extremely useful to our participating educators who are anxious to implement civic learning in their classrooms. You have certainly helped them meet their goal to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to become informed, engaged citizens."
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MICHELLE M. HERCZOG, ED.D., L.A. COUNTY OFFICE OF ED., ROB VICARIO, O.C. DEPT. OF ED.
"Cyberwise was just what I was looking for! As a parent of two young children I needed to educate myself! Your website is easy to navigate, well organized, and full of great research and information for parents who want to educate and protect their children online. Cyberwise helped me to feel confident navigating the otherwise scary world of kids and social media."
KELLY HARDY, PARENT
"You have done a magnificent job of taking what you know about the big picture and making it actionable--identifying a specific need and providing an imminently useable solution."
DR. PAMELA RUTLEDGE, DIRECTOR, MEDIA PSYCHOLOGY RESEARCH CENTER
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