Wider World Context
Wider world context
Cyberbullying in different country
In total 20,793 interviews were conducted between March 23 – April 6, 2018 among adults aged 18-64
in the US and Canada, and adults aged 16-64 in all other countries.
in the US and Canada, and adults aged 16-64 in all other countries.
Indonesia fared high in being most aware of cyberbullying with 91%, followed by Australia with 87% an
d Poland with 83%.
d Poland with 83%.
The United States has had cases of teenage suicides linked to cyberbullying in which other child peers
purposely threaten, offend, and harass another children through online technology or mobile devices.
purposely threaten, offend, and harass another children through online technology or mobile devices.
Awareness of cyberbulling was reported by 82% of Americans. This was the same in Sweden,
followed by 81% in Germany.
followed by 81% in Germany.
Some countries, however, showed low levels of knowing about cyberbullying with 29% in Saudia
Arabia saying they have heard of it. In Russia, China and Turkey 50% under reported knowing about
cyberbullying.
Arabia saying they have heard of it. In Russia, China and Turkey 50% under reported knowing about
cyberbullying.
Of particular interest are Russia and Japan. In both countries, parents expressed extremely high
levels of confidence that their children did not experience cyberbullying of any kind.
levels of confidence that their children did not experience cyberbullying of any kind.
Across Europe and the Americas, it also appears more parents are either becoming aware of their
children’s negative experiences with cyberbullying, or their children are increasingly experiencing such attacks online.
children’s negative experiences with cyberbullying, or their children are increasingly experiencing such attacks online.
Theoretical
What Is Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets.
Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where
people can view, participate in, or share content.
Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where
people can view, participate in, or share content.
Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone
else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or
humiliation.
else. It can include sharing personal or private information about someone else causing embarrassment or
humiliation.
Some cyberbullying crosses the line into unlawful or criminal behavior.
Types of cyberbullying
Mobile phone and other mobile devices: using a mobile phone or similar device to send abusive or
threatening text messages, video messages, photo messages and phone calls. This includes anonymous text
messages sent using Bluetooth technology and distributing phone video footage of physical attacks on people,
or ‘happy slapping’.
threatening text messages, video messages, photo messages and phone calls. This includes anonymous text
messages sent using Bluetooth technology and distributing phone video footage of physical attacks on people,
or ‘happy slapping’.
Email: this includes abusive or threatening emails sent to a single target, or to a group in order to encourage or
incite others to take part in the sending of abusive emails or phone messages to individuals.
incite others to take part in the sending of abusive emails or phone messages to individuals.
Instant messenger and chatrooms: the use of instant messaging or chatrooms to send abusive or threatening
messages or to encourage others to send abusive or threatening messages to individuals.
messages or to encourage others to send abusive or threatening messages to individuals.
Social networking sites: creating profiles or contributing to pages on social networking sites, such as Facebook
and Twitter, that abuse or threaten individuals. This includes the posting of images or emails of others on social
networking sites without their express permission, or assuming the identity of others by getting hold of their
account details and sending or posting messages on their behalf, could be classed as cyberbullying. Individuals
using social media sites to harass and abuse others are often called ‘trolls’.
and Twitter, that abuse or threaten individuals. This includes the posting of images or emails of others on social
networking sites without their express permission, or assuming the identity of others by getting hold of their
account details and sending or posting messages on their behalf, could be classed as cyberbullying. Individuals
using social media sites to harass and abuse others are often called ‘trolls’.
Interactive gaming: the use of games to abuse or threaten others. This includes locking people out of games,
spreading rumours about others, adding the email addresses and profiles of others to gaming mailing lists, or
hacking into other’s accounts.
spreading rumours about others, adding the email addresses and profiles of others to gaming mailing lists, or
hacking into other’s accounts.
Sending viruses: the use of viruses sent to others to corrupt or delete information on their personal computer.
Cyberbullying has unique concerns in that it can be:
Persistent – Digital devices offer an ability to immediately and continuously communicate 24 hours a day, so it
can be difficult for children experiencing cyberbullying to find relief.
Permanent – Most information communicated electronically is permanent and public, if not reported and
removed. A negative online reputation, including for those who bully, can impact college admissions,
employment, and other areas of life.
Hard to Notice – Because teachers and parents may not overhear or see cyberbullying taking place, it is harder
to recognize.
Social context
Laws and Sanctions of cyberbullying
Bullying and cyberbullying are not specifically criminal offences. However, there are criminal and civil
laws that can be used to prosecute the perpetrators of cyberbullying including:
Protection from Harassment Act 1997;
The Malicious Communications Act 1988;
The Communications Act 2003;
The Public Order Act 1986;
The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) – this act provides for staff and teachers to
confiscate items from pupils, such as mobile phones.
laws that can be used to prosecute the perpetrators of cyberbullying including:
Protection from Harassment Act 1997;
The Malicious Communications Act 1988;
The Communications Act 2003;
The Public Order Act 1986;
The Education and Inspections Act 2006 (EIA 2006) – this act provides for staff and teachers to
confiscate items from pupils, such as mobile phones.
For example, under the Malicious Communications Act 1988, it is an offence to send a communication
with the intention of causing distress or anxiety;
and under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003 it an offence to send an electronic message
that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.
that is grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.
The Protection from Harassment Act 1997 covers threatening behaviour or harassment, including
online and offline stalking.
If the police have enough evidence to charge the perpetrator under any of the above legislation, and
they are convicted, this can act as a powerful deterrent to others. The victim may also be awarded
damages because of the harm they have suffered.
online and offline stalking.
If the police have enough evidence to charge the perpetrator under any of the above legislation, and
they are convicted, this can act as a powerful deterrent to others. The victim may also be awarded
damages because of the harm they have suffered.
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A study by Ipsos for Reuters News revealed that cyberbullying is becoming a problem in many
countries
.
countries
.
The survey covering 24 countries found that nearly 80% of residents worldwide say cyberbullying is
a problem that needs dedicated attention from schools and parents. Current measures being taken
against online bullying were said not to be enough in addressing the problem.
a problem that needs dedicated attention from schools and parents. Current measures being taken
against online bullying were said not to be enough in addressing the problem.
Over 18,000 people were surveyed about cyberbullying with 6,500 being parents. Around 66% of the
countries surveyed reported that awareness of cyberbullying was high, with one in ten parents
reporting that their child has experienced cyberbullying. One in four parents said that they know a
child in their community who has experienced cyberbullying as well.
countries surveyed reported that awareness of cyberbullying was high, with one in ten parents
reporting that their child has experienced cyberbullying. One in four parents said that they know a
child in their community who has experienced cyberbullying as well.
---------------------------------
Nearly six in ten of those surveyed said that the children experienced cyberbullying through social
networking sites like Facebook.
networking sites like Facebook.
The popular social networking site was the top medium used for cyberbullying for most of the countries
surveyed.
surveyed.
Four in ten said that mobile devices and chat rooms were often used for harassment; three in ten said
email or online instant messaging was used, and two in 10 said other websites were used for
cyberbullying.
email or online instant messaging was used, and two in 10 said other websites were used for
cyberbullying.
Some Empirical Findings
Cyberbullying can occur at different age levels and in different geographical areas.
Cyberbullying can be devastating for victims and their families. The psychological harm inflicted by cyberbullying, just like bullying, is reflected in low self-esteem, school failure, anger, anxiety, depression, school avoidance, school violence, and suicide. It is even possible that the damage from cyberbullying would be greater than bullying because there is no escape for the victims; harmful material could be easily preserved as well as quickly and widely spread. Further, many people who would not harass others face-to-face might cyberbully peers because they believe that they could hide or it would be acceptable to engage in such behavior virtually
Cyberbullying can occur at different age levels and in different geographical areas.
Cyberbullying can be devastating for victims and their families. The psychological harm inflicted by cyberbullying, just like bullying, is reflected in low self-esteem, school failure, anger, anxiety, depression, school avoidance, school violence, and suicide. It is even possible that the damage from cyberbullying would be greater than bullying because there is no escape for the victims; harmful material could be easily preserved as well as quickly and widely spread. Further, many people who would not harass others face-to-face might cyberbully peers because they believe that they could hide or it would be acceptable to engage in such behavior virtually
Patchin and Hinduja conducted an online survey involving 384 respondents who were under 18 years of age. Their results showed that various forms of bullying occurred online, including being ignored (60.4%), disrespected (50.0%), called names (29.9%), threatened (21.4%), picked on (19.8%), made fun of (19.3%), and having rumors spread about them (18.8%).
Students' beliefs and opinions, whether as cyberbullies, as cyberwitnesses, or as bystanders, about cyberbullying and their perceived school and home climates (including bystanders' and adults' behaviors) all contribute to their actions during and after the cyberbullying incidents.
Following the REB's recommendation, students were informed that the purpose of the research was to study their experiences of and beliefs about cyberbullying. Letters and surveys were sent to the students' homes. In the parent letter, it was stated that if parents allowed a student to participate, the student would put the completed questionnaire in the envelope provided (without names) and return it. If parents were not interested, students would simply return the envelopes with the blank questionnaires.
What were students' reactions to cyberbullying? The results showed that the students were almost evenly divided into four groups: one group thought it was no big deal and one group just lived with it. The third group felt upset or really upset, and the fourth group had no opinion.
What did students do after they were cyberbullied? Apparently, only a few tried to take revenge; the majority of students chose not to inform anyone. Two out of five did nothing, and less than a quarter told the cyberbully to stop. Two out of five victims chose to get away (e.g., log off) from the cyberbully. Only a small proportion (6%) tried to take revenge on the cyberbully or bully others. One tenth of them informed adults, and about one in five told friends.
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