Publication year: 2011
Source: Children and Youth Services Review, In Press, Accepted Manuscript, Available online 3 September 2011
Faye, Mishna , Mona, Khoury-Kassabri , Tahany, Gadalla , Joanne, Daciuk
The use of online technology is exploding worldwide and is fast becoming a preferred method of interacting. While most online interactions are neutral or positive the Internet provides a new means through which children and youth are bullied. The aim of this grounded theory approach was to explore technology, virtual relationships and cyber bullying from the perspectives of students. Seven focus groups were held with 38 students between fifth and eighth grades. The participants considered cyber bullying to be a serious problem and some characterized online bullying as more serious than ‘traditional’ bullying because of the associated anonymity. Although the…
Highlights: ► We compare cyber bullying: victims, bullies, bully-victims, no involvement ► We explore the factors that contribute to involvement in cyber bullying. ► One quarter reported involvement as both bully and victim in previous three months. ► In traditional bullying bully-victims represent smallest most vulnerable group ► In the current study the bully-victims category emerged as more common.