Our higher education 'Prevent Cyber Bullying' education website

Abstract

Due to the rapid online expansion of digital learnscapes, resulting in university students engaged in online learning communities, cyberbullying has the potential of being a serious issue for higher education institutions. The effectiveness of educating students and staff in higher education on the impact of cyber bullying has received limited attention in university policy documentation and in the literature on adult cyberbullying. It is this scarceness of policy direction and innovative literature that has driven this study, the development of an educational website to inform students and staff in higher education contexts about cyber safety and the very real consequences of cyber bullying for people's lives. The content on the site is educational, promoting an awareness of staying safe online, digital footprints, digital reputations, and the hazards of remaining exposed online. In describing the development of the site, this study highlights the need for such resources to support students and staff working in higher education places and spaces to understand what constitutes this complex social phenomena, implications of cyber bullying on persons present and future lives, users roles and responsibilities in curbing cyber bullying, help seeking avenues and digital wellness. Findings indicate numerous benefits for the sites' continuation including the range and depth of information for users in higher education spaces and places about socially responsible online behaviour and the potential impact of cyberbullying events on people’s lives. Suggested improvements specific to design and the customization of the content for the target audiences has been instrumental in the redesign and continued development of the site. Recommendations are made in relation to the dissemination of the site across the Australian and offshore Singapore campus

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