Thoughts on Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is a cybertrust issue that does not get much attention until after an incident occurs. It is hard to tie it directly to security or privacy. It is its own threat category, fitting between security, safety, and privacy. It is a social and societal issue, a cowardly action attempting to hide behind a virtual shield. Fortunately, digital forensics can usually unmask this

Cyberbullying in Adolescents: The Prevalence of Mental Disorders and Suicidal Behavior

This paper defines the phenomena of cyberbullying in relation to traditional bullying, along with its negative consequences on adolescents in modern society. The reasons for the highly destructive effects of cyberbullying are given along with information about psychological instability resulting from the occurrence of cyberbullying. The correlation of cyberbullying with suicidal thoughts and behaviors is also discussed. Finally, some prevention techniques are listed in an attempt to lower the prevalence of cyberbullying

Children\u27s Perceptions of Cyberbullying

This study analyzed children’s perceptions of cyberbullying in a focus group of six youths, ages 10-15. The primary goal of this research was to supplement and expand on previous cyberbullying research that focused heavily on surveys, but didn’t provide youths’ voices or perspectives (Lenhart, 2010; Wang et al., 2009). Specifically, participants were asked to share their definitions of cyberbullying, their opinions about its pervasiveness, and their thoughts about the connection between cyberbullying and self-disclosure. Findings show that children’s perceptions of cyberbullying are similar to those identified in previous, survey-based research. Participants noted the role of technology in facilitating regular bullying and the ability to remain anonymous while posting hateful comments. Although students’ perceptions were similar to previous research, there were some interesting differences, such as the emphasis that participants placed on the public nature of cyberbullying and their empathy for some bullies who may not be aware of the harm they are doing

Cyberbullying Prevention: Intervention Effects on Student Involvement

Repeated studies show that cyberbullying is pervasive amongst adolescents. Cyberbullying can lead to self-harm, depression, and suicidal thoughts. Educators are called to intervene in educating students about cyberbullying through research and federal legislation. However, there is little research examining whether this education is taking place or having an effect. This study investigates the relationship between the incidences of cyberbullying victimization and offending over time and the direct cyberbullying instruction and activities facilitated by classroom teachers. The study took place amongst sixth graders in Jefferson County Public Schools, a large urban school district located in northern Kentucky. Students in one school were assessed on multiple measures of cyberbullying incidences (n=78). In the other school, students (n=45) were assessed on cyberbullying incidences, given 135 minutes of cyberbullying instruction, assessed again, and assessed three months later. The lessons were provided by Common Sense Media. Wilcoxon Signed-rank tests and Mann-Whitney tests were conducted using data collected from the responses on the surveys. There was also qualitative evidence gathered such as interviews and anecdotes from teachers to assess the fidelity of implementation. This study indicates that cyberbullying intervention can have a significant effect on students’ tendencies to be a cyberbullying victim but not in being a cyberbullying offender

Why Confronting the Internet’s Dark Side?

Raphael Cohen-Almagor, the author of Confronting the Internet’s Dark Side, explains his motivation for exploring the dangerous side of the world wide web. This new book is the first comprehensive book on social responsibility on the Internet

Traditional and cyberbullying victimization as correlates of psychosocial distress and barriers to a healthy lifestyle among severely obese adolescents : a matched case-control study on prevalence and results from a cross-sectional study

Background: Obese youth are at increased risk for peer victimization, which may heighten their risk of psychosocial problems and physical activity avoidance, and lower the effectiveness of professional and lifestyle weight-loss initiatives. Little is known about obese adolescents' risk for victimization from cyber-bullying and how this relates to psychosocial functioning and healthy lifestyle barriers. The purpose of the study was to assess traditional and cyber-victimization among adolescents with severe obesity and its relation to psychosocial distress and barriers to healthy lifestyles. Methods: A sample of 102 obese adolescents (mean age = 15.32 +/- 1.71) in residential treatment was matched with 102 normal-weight youngsters from the Health Behavior in School-aged Children (HBSC) study (mean age = 15.30 +/- 1.73). Results: Adolescents with obesity were significantly more often cyber-victimized than normal-weight peers. Obese youth victimized by traditional bullying experienced lower quality of life, lower motivation for physical activity and higher avoidance and emotional coping towards healthy lifestyles than those non-victimized. Obese cyber-victims experienced significantly higher suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Traditional and cyber-victimization may hinder treatment effectiveness and healthy lifestyle change in adolescents with obesity. Health professionals should pro-actively address peer victimization and psychosocial functioning during multidisciplinary obesity treatment. Schools could contribute to a better physical and psychosocial health of obese youth by implementing multi-behavioral health-promotion programs

Bullying in a networked era: a literature review

This research update presents an aggregation and summary of recent academic literature on youth bullying. The purpose of this document is to “translate” scholarly research for a concerned public audience, which may include but is not limited to parents, caregivers, educators, and practitioners. This translation highlights recent findings and developments in the literature and makes them accessible to the informed but non-expert reader. The document’s two guiding questions are “What is bullying?” (Section I) and “What can be done about bullying?” (Section II). Section I begins with a brief overview of key definitions and related research conversations and then addresses bullying’s prevalence, the types of individuals involved in bullying, the characteristics of individuals involved and the consequences of their involvement, and community-level dynamics related to bullying. Section II covers four areas where action has been taken to address problems associated with bullying – school policy, curricula, school climate, and parents – and ends on a note about approaches that mix or cut across these areas. The purpose is to render lessons learned from research and assessment accessible to those interested in deepening or expanding their knowledge of bullying-related issues

Bullying in middle school: the role of school counselors and teachers in preventing bullying

Master's Project (M.Ed.) University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2017Research suggests that bullying is a problem in schools throughout the nation. Children spend the vast majority of their life attending school. School counselors and teachers are in a unique position to identify, prevent and educate students about bullying. The purpose of this project was to examine the role of school counselors and teachers in the Fairbanks North Star Borough School District (FNSBSD) in preventing bullying in their schools. The participants of this study were 8 school counselors and teachers from four middle schools in the FNSBSD. Data for this research was collected using an anonymous online survey utilizing www.SurveyMonkey.com. The results of the survey indicated that bullying is an issue in the four middle schools selected for the study in FNSBSD. Of the four major types of bullying discussed in my research (cyber, relation, physical, and verbal), there was a consensus among the participants that cyber and relational bullying were the most prevalent and problematic in their schools. Recommendations for future research include expanding on this study to include a larger sample of schools and participants, suggestions for strengthening staff training and implementing school based youth courts in FNSBSD schools as part of the bully intervention and prevention program

Comprehensive Positive School Discipline Resource Guide

This document provides a guide to assist schools and districts by providing information, resources, and tools to further the development of Positive School Discipline practices

Healthcare professionals should be mindful that victims and victim-bullies may have additional health needs associated with risk-taking behaviour

Commentary on: Kritsotakis G, Papanikolaou M, Androulakis E, et al. Associations of bullying and cyberbullying with substance use and sexual risk taking in young adults. J Nurs Scholarsh 2017;49:360–70. • The effects of bullying and cyberbullying can be linked to a number of health risk behaviours, education and healthcare professionals need to include prevention and intervention strategies within educational curricula, building on replacing maladaptive coping strategies with adaptive responses. • Future research should explore the adaptive and maladaptive coping mechanisms employed by victims and victim-bullies during the transition to adulthood and how this impacts on their relationships