The Prevalence of Cyberbullying and Cyber-Victimization Behaviours in Internet Usage among Adolescents in Secondary Schools of Westlands Sub-County, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background of the Study The exponential development of Information and communication technologies have increased the access to unlimited information sharing and in the midst of recent decade has drastically changed individuals' social communications, learning techniques and entertainment choices. Most notably, technology innovation has created new specialized communication instruments. The devices are especially prioritized by youngsters, who extensively utilize websites, web cams, chat rooms, emails, instant messaging, social networking sites and texting (Boyd, 2008). Adolescence is the period of identity formation, self-exploration and experimentation and also is most often associated with their social environment for the growth of their personality (Hinduja & Patchin, 2013). Adolescents yearn for opportunities to project behaviors and tendencies which gain prominence in valuing themselves positively. Moreover, nowadays they have greater access than ever before to the internet, which is seen as a normal and necessary part of their day to day lives to interact with the social world (Kowalski, Limber, & Agatston, 2012). The internet gives countless potential outcomes towards development of children and youth, including benefits such as social support and acceptance, identity exploration, and development of interpersonal and critical thinking skills, as well as educational and instructive advantages produced from far reaching access information, scholastic support, and worldwide multifaceted communications (Blais, Craig, Pepler, & Connolly, 2008). However, they come with certain drawbacks of concurrently being a potential site for abuse and victimization. The very nature of cyber environment due to its frequent uncensored and unmonitored usage have potent adversaries and has paved the way for new types of aggression, hostility, exploitation and victimization of being bullied online henceforth perpetrating against the nation's youngster and youth populace. Cyberbullying comprises of "any