Bullying 2.0: Cyberbullies in Oz

Cyberbullying in Australia

This study explored the prevalence and impact of cyberbullying among young people in Australia and asked the participants to evaluate coping strategies they’ve used to deal with it, using an online survey with anonymous participants from all states and territories. The researchers noted several variations in the nature and prevalence of cyberbullying in different age/ gender demographics, particularly an interesting concentration of reported experiences of cyberbullying “during the period associated with the transition from primary school to high school” (54), and concluded that the issue should be given extra care and focus during those years.

They made a number of other observations, including that  “only a minority of victims are choosing to speak out to either adults or peers about their experience” (58). They linked this to perceived fears of having use of technology restricted by parents and teachers as a result of reporting cyberbullying (Campbell 2007; Rickwood et al. 2005; Smith et al. 2008, cited in this study p. 52). This suggests to me that further study should be done into coping strategies used by adults, and how well they’re working. What happens when we say, “no Facebook,“ etc? Doesn’t that enforce the idea that the digital universe is a place we can’t navigate safely? What other, more realistic responses can we make as parents and teachers that might work better to support students dealing with cyberbullying?

Fundamentally, as these researchers suggest, this issue is about emotional development and building positive relationships: “the dynamics between the role of bully and victim suggest to the authors that school and government interventions need to focus not only on cybersafety but also on the quality of peer relationships” (58).

Reference:

Price, Megan and Dalgleish, John (2010): " Cyberbullying: Experiences, impacts and coping strategies as described by Australian young people," Youth Studies Australia VOLUME 29 NUMBER 2 2010 pp 51-59. Retrieved on 7-3-11 at: 

Australia VOLUME 29 NUMBER 2 2010 pp 51-59. Retrieved 7-3-11 at:

http://scholar.google.com.au/scholar?as_q=cyberbullying+australian&num=10&btnG=Search+Scholar&as_epq=&as_oq=&as_eq=&as_occt=any&as_sauthors=Dalgleish&as_publication=&as_ylo=&as_yhi=&as_sdt=1.&as_sdtp=on&as_sdtf=&as_sdts=5&hl=en