Cyberbullying Internationally Increasing

Abstract

Cyberbullying is a growing phenomenon among adolescents, teens, and young adults who either perpetrate and/or are the recipients of harassing and threatening behaviors through the use of technologies such as emails, Internet communities and social networking Web sites, chat rooms, and cell phones. The incidences of cyberbullying have increased predominantly among students who are residents of technologically advanced countries throughout North America, Europe, and Asia (Anderson & Sturm, 2007; Li, 2006). Several studies have shown that as many as 57% of school age students in the U.S. have experienced some types of cyber harassment (Cook, Williams, Guera & Tuthill, 2007; Hinduja & Patchin, 2005; Lenhart, 2007; Li, 2004). However, many schools and teachers may not fully be aware of the increase of cyberbullying and the psycho-emotional and physical problems that arise from both the perpetuation and the receipt of cyberbullying. The purpose of this chapter is to present the characteristics and theoretical frameworks that define and contextualize cyberbullying including the international prevalence and related statistics, backgrounds and profiles of perpetrators, and adults’ roles (Campbell, 2005; Cook, et al., 2007; Kennedy, 2005; Lenhart, 2007; Willard, 2005). This chapter will also provide educators and parents with prevention and intervention strategies to address cyberbullying among youth. Useful Web resources and additional readings are listed as well.

Schools and Cyberbullying: Problem Perception, Current Actions and Future Needs

“…The prevention, detection, and solution of cyberbullying requires all parties involved to be aware of what cyberbullying actually is, which students are at risk of becoming perpetrators or victims, what leads to cyberbullying, and what can be done to prevent or solve it (Diamanduros et al, 2008). For example, preventive actions aimed at students should focus on the aspects of IT that distinguish cyberbullying from traditional bullying (Aoyama & Talbert, 2010;Salmivalli & Pöyhönen, 2012). More specifically, potential perpetrators should be made aware that the Internet and mobile phones do not offer complete anonymity.…”

“…Some authors note that 'schools have been slow to respond to the increased incidences of cyberbullying' (Aoyama & Talbert, 2010) and are only now 'beginning to extend their bullying policies to include the Internet' (Sharples,Graber,Harrison,& International Journal of Cyber Society and Education 33 Logant, 2009). Several aspects (or 'barriers') have been proposed in explanations for the initial and current lack of initiatives with regard to cyberbullying.…”

Boys’ and girls’ cyberbullying behaviours in Portugal: Exploring sex differences in adolescence using gender lenses

“…Despite this limitation, the data provides important clues for reflection and intervention to combat the problem of cyberbullying. An additional limitation, common to other studies (Aoyama and Talbert 2010), concerns the operationalization of cyberbullying and the development of the questionnaire to collect data. Close-ended questions limit the adolescents' answers and may be subject to problems such as acquiescence or reluctance to admit to certain acts due to fear of being identified, possibly heightened by the fact that the data was collected in schools by teachers during classes.…”

“…In line with these characteristics, it has been found that girls and boys tend to have the same frequency of internet use, but for different main purposes (Willard 2007). This makes it equally likely for them to engage in cyberbullying, but in different ways (Aoyama and Talbert 2010). In fact, research has already found that boys use computers mainly for searching and playing games, whereas the favourite online activity for girls is socializing with others (Turan et al 2011).…”

Growing From Childhood into Adolescence

“…For example, Subrahmanyan et al (2006) discovered that the anonymity, along with other factors such as unmonitored online chat, may contribute to cyberbullying where some took the advantage of anonymity to abuse others. Aoyama and Talbert (2009) studied the cyberbullying from an international perspective and concluded that cyberbullying is on the rise globally which can be partially attributed to the anonymity in virtual communication.…”