Lars SoderbergCommunication & Technology 250

Research Question

Why do teenagers use cyber bullying as a form of communication?

What is Cyber Bullying?

• “Willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices.” (Schrock & Boyd, 2011, p. 374)

• Stereotypical widespread problem• Anonymity– Private Messages, use of social media, doesn’t

have to be done at school (Farrell, 2012, p.26)

Power of Cyber Bullying

• Growth of the internet• Permanent posts• Deadly effects– Depression, suicide, etc. (Cloud, 2010)

• Fast publicity of message (Ringrose, 2011, p. 133)

• Anonymity– Mystery regarding the root of the message lack of

control (Ringrose, 2011, p. 132)

Cyber Bullying Outlets

• Social Media– Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.

• Email• Blogs / Websites (Vandebosch & Van

Cleemput, 2009, p. 1)• Text Messaging• Instant Messaging– AIM, iMessage, etc.

“The youngsters who perpetrate acts of cyber bullying have, in many cases, also experienced cyber bullying as victims or bystanders and vice

versa.” (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p.22)

Types of Cyber Bullying

• Direct involvement of the victim– Viruses, internet / mobile bullying, social exclusion

(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 5)• Initial lack of involvement by the victim– Online anonymity, internet / mobile bullying

(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 5)

A Cyber Bully’s Effectiveness

• Hyperpersonal communication– The ambiguity of messages online may cause

under/over dramatization of messages (Farrell, 2012, p.28)

• Channel expansion theory– The level of knowledge in regards to a channel,

message topic, context, and source will determine the level of effectiveness (Farrell, 2012, p.28)

Exposure to Cyber Bullying

• 72% of 18-29 year olds use social networking cites (Megan, 2012, p. 703)

• 15.8% of young adults in a study (596 people ages 14-22) reported cyber-bullying compared to 12.3% of adolescents (Megan, 2012, p. 705)

• In the study, 15.6% of harassing messages came from someone unknown to the victim (Megan, 2012, p. 712)

Exposure continued…

• School survey (177 7th graders)– 14.5% reported to being cyber bullies– 24.9% reported to being victims of cyber bullying

• Online study (500 teenagers aged 11-15) (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 7)– 32% sent anonymous harassing emails– 29% sent harassing messages

Exposure Results

• Cyber bullying is different from case to case• Traditional bullies and victimization online

(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 11)• Lack of responsibility by student body

Victim Profile

• Victims– Girls were more likely to be the victim

(Ringrose, 2011, 122)– Higher relationship between a strictly online

relationship with their bully– Tend to be victims of traditional bullying as

well– High internet dependency– Not socially competent

Kristensen and Smith Study

• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 16-18)– 44.8% knew their bully offline– Half didn’t know their bully– 14.1% were bullied by someone they only knew

online– Experienced one form of offensive behavior orver

the internet / phone over the last 3 motnhs• 61.9% reported to being victims• 52.5% reported to being perpetrators• 76.3% reported to being bystanders

Ybarra Study• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 10)– Males who reported as being depressed were

eight times more likely to report being a victim

“Ybarra identified both the amount of internet use and the use of messenger programs as most

important predictors for the experience with cyber bullying as a victim among females.” (Vandebosch &

Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 10)

Li Study

• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 11)– 1/3 of “youngsters” bullied in school were also

cyber bullies– 1/3 of “youngsters” reported their bullying in

school to backfire online and result in victimization

– Majority of victims were females (p. 10)– Strong correlation between cyber bullies and

cyber bully victims

Patchin & Hinduja Study

• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 11)– 42.5% of cyber bully victims were frustrated– 40% of victims were angry– 17% felt sad

Causes of Cyber Bullying

• The internet is a very liberating platform• Easier establishment of social relationships• Anonymity – The identity of the bully is often secret (Erdur-

Baker, 2012, p. 111)– Provides adoption of “a more aggressive persona”.

(Erdur-Baker, 2012, p. 110)

Causes continued…

• Easy access to technology (Farrell, 2012, p.26)• Increased time spent online spent by

teenagers– Age of identity exploration (Megan, 2012, p. 703)

Cyber Bully Profile

• Cyber Bullies – High self image– Social competence– High relationship

between traditional and online bully

– Lack of surveillance by parents

Final Thoughts

• Cyber bullying is evident among teenagers– Strong correlation between traditional and cyber bullies

• Cyber bullies tend to be victims as well motivation• Amount of internet use in combination with lack of parental

supervision show Cyber Bullying trends• Victims seek security online anonymity• Age matters• Boys vs. Girls

– Gender tendencies vary by study• Cyber Bullies seek popularity power

– Also can respond to events at school

Conclusion

• Bullying varies on a case to case basis– Increasing use of the Internet is problematic– Reasons vary

• A more clear cut definition of Cyber Bullying is needed– Too much room for dispute

• More research is needed– Motives

• More studies

– Consequences • How effective they are in regards to deterrence

Further Research

What communicative factors determine the presence of Cyber Bullying among teenagers?

Are there any new mediums for Cyber Bullying?

How successful are current consequences at deterring Cyber Bullying?

What is the best method of communication in order to prevent Cyber Bullying?

Fun Links!• http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/cyberbullying-a-mob

ile-problem,1458938/– Cyber Bulling on your mobile phone

• http://cyberbullying.us/– Cyber Bullying information

• http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/– Cyber Bullying prevention tips & informaton

• http://www.today.com/tech/new-home-cyberbullying-yik-yak-gossip-app-takes-high-schools-2D79597218– New form of social media associated with Cyber Bullying

• http://magicvalley.com/news/local/schools-teens-fight-cyberbullying/article_f45101aa-cdc4-11e3-9910-0019bb2963f4.html– Teenagers fight against Cyber Bullying