Cyberbullying among Finnish adolescents – a population-based study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cyberbullying, threatening or harassing another via the internet or mobile phones, does not cause physically harm and thus the consequences are less visible. Little research has been performed on the occurrence of cyberbullying among adolescents or the perception of its seriousness. Only a few population-based studies have been published, none of which included research on the witnessing of cyberbullying. Here, we examined exposure to cyberbullying during the last year, and its frequency and perceived seriousness among 12 to 18-year-old adolescents in Finland. We studied four dimensions of cyberbullying: being a victim, bully, or both victim and bully of cyberbullying, and witnessing the cyberbullying of friends.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Self-administered questionnaires, including four questions on cyberbullying, were mailed to a representative sample of 12-, 14-, 16-, and 18-year-old Finns in 2009 (the Adolescent Health and Lifestyle Survey). The respondents could answer via the internet or paper questionnaire.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The number of respondents was 5516 and the response rate was 56%. Girls more often than boys reported experiencing at least one dimension of cyberbullying during the last year. The proportion was highest among 14-year-olds and lowest among 18-year-olds of both sexes. Among girls, the most commonly encountered dimension was witnessing the cyberbullying of friends (16%); and being a victim was slightly more common than being a bully (11% vs. 9%). Among boys, an equal proportion, approximately 10%, had been a victim, a bully, or had witnessed cyberbullying. The proportion of bully-victims was 4%. Serious and disruptive cyberbullying was experienced by 2% of respondents and weekly cyberbullying by 1%; only 0.5% of respondents had been bullied weekly and considered bullying serious and disruptive.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Adolescents are commonly exposed to cyberbullying, but it is rarely frequent or considered serious or disruptive. Cyberbullying exposure differed between sexes, such that girls more often than boys witness cyberbullying of friends and boys more often act as the bully than girls. In future studies, the witnessing of cyberbullying and its consequences should be taken into account.</p

A theoretical framework for understanding ethnic socialization among international adoptees

10.1606/1044-3894.3817Families in Society894543-55

Children's cyber-safety and protection in Australia: An analysis of community stakeholder views

Protecting children from the risks posed by negative influences in the online environment (that is, cyber-safety) is a growing concern within the Australian community. In this study, the views of 151 individuals and community stakeholder organizations, which represent the interests of children's cyber-safety in Australia, were analysed using content coding and analysis techniques. The analysis suggests that, given the accessibility of the online environment, stakeholders may need to exercise structured controls for child safety. In examining the major cyber threats and responses identified by the stakeholders, the study found that cyber-safety education and awareness programs are considered to represent the main effective and viable threat response. In addition, the research uncovered cyber bullying as a ‘whole of community’ problem that might be addressed through robust bullying prevention policies and programs, and improved resources and training for teachers, school principals and parents. The study notes that current policy directions for children's cyber-safety will need to flow through to every layer of the community.Nigel Martin and John Ric