“People think it’s a harmless joke”: young people’s understanding of the impact of technology, digital vulnerability and cyberbullying in the United Kingdom

Betts, Lucy R.; Spenser, Karin A.

doi:10.1080/17482798.2016.1233893

Cited by 49 publications

(200 citation statements)

References 54 publications

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“…The growing use of a wide variety of technologies has created new forms of possible interaction and communication among adolescents (Betts and Spenser 2017;Goodyear and Armour 2018). Information and communication technologies (ICTs) provide many advantages for young people.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental Communication and Feelings of Affiliation in Adolescent Aggressors and Victims of Cyberbullying

Ortega-Barón¹,

Postigo

Iranzo

et al. 2018

Social Sciences

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Cyberbullying is an increasingly frequent problem among adolescents, and it produces considerable social concern. Using a cross-sectional and quantitative methodology, the main objective of this study was to analyze the differences among students involved in the perpetration and victimization of cyberbullying (non-involved, occasional, and severe), in their parental communication, and feelings of affiliation with classmates. The sample consisted of 849 adolescents (51.7% boys and 48.3% girls) from 12 to 18 years old (M = 14.5; SD = 1.62). Three comparison groups of aggressors and victims of cyberbullying were formed, depending on the intensity of the intimidation: non-involved, occasional, and severe. The results of the analysis of variance indicated that adolescents involved in cyberbullying as perpetrators or victims have less open and more avoidant communication with their parents than adolescents who are not involved in cyberbullying. Additionally, victims of cyberbullying perceive lower feelings of affiliation with their classmates, whereas cyberbullies show no differences between the groups on this variable. These new results provide insight into the important role of family and peers in the prevention and eradication of the growing problem of cyberbullying.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parental Communication and Feelings of Affiliation in Adolescent Aggressors and Victims of Cyberbullying

Ortega-Barón¹,

Postigo

Iranzo

et al. 2018

Social Sciences

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“…In conclusion, the current research has demonstrated the presence of an optimistic bias for the relative risk of experiencing cyber bullying and offers an exploration for why individuals believe they will not experience cyber bullying (Betts and Spenser 2017). The research also highlights variations according to comparator groups, age, and gender.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

“…However, this finding may also reflect (a) that females are more likely to experience cyber bullying than males (Dehue et al 2008) and (b) the proportion of females in the current sample. The current findings suggest that comparative optimism is the mechanism underpinning Betts and Spenser's (2017) finding that young people believe that they are not at risk of cyber bullying. Participants may be holding self-serving biases about the risk of cyber bullying to maintain their self-esteem (Metzger et al 2015), although future research should directly explore this line of enquiry.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 63%

“…Despite the concerns voiced by educational practitioners, parents, and researchers about the pervasive nature of cyber bullying, many young people say that cyber bullying will not happen to them (Betts and Spenser 2017). The current study examined whether, across three age groups (late adolescents, emerging adults, and adulthood), individuals hold optimistic beliefs regarding the likelihood of experiencing cyber bullying.…”

mentioning

confidence: 96%

“…Further, it is likely that young people who believe they will not experience cyber bullying (Betts and Spenser 2017) may be drawing on comparative optimism. However, this argument is yet to be empirically tested.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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We Are Safe but You Are Not: Exploring Comparative Optimism and Cyber Bullying

Betts

Metwally

Gardner

2018

J. technol. behav. sci.

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Individuals tend to believe that when comparing themselves to others they are less vulnerable to potential risks. This is referred to as comparative optimism, whereby individuals believe that they are immune from negative experiences that can happen to others. The current study examined comparative optimism judgements for the likelihood of experiencing cyber bullying. Comparative optimism was examined in three age groups: older adolescents (n = 130, 57% female, M age = 16.82, SD age = .38), emerging adults (n = 355, 92% female, M age = 19.26, SD age = .27), and adults (n = 147, 66% female, M age = 33.24, SD age = 9.77). All participants reported the likelihood that they, their friends, other students [forum users] younger than them, other students [forum users] their age, people older than them, and strangers would experience cyber bullying. Participants displayed an optimistic bias, reporting that they were less likely to experience cyber bullying than others. However, the relative risk of experiencing cyber bullying varied according to comparator group. Comparator groups that were socially close to the participants (e.g. friends) were generally rated as less likely to experience cyber bullying than socially distant comparator groups (e.g. strangers). Also, comparator groups that were younger than the participants were consistently judged to be most at risk of experiencing cyber bullying. Together, the findings have implications for the design of anti-cyber bullying interventions and campaigns to promote digital safety.

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