Cyberbullying Laura Trujillo-Jenks, Assistant Professor, TWU Teacher Education Lisa Rosen, Assistant Professor, TWU Psychology & Philosophy

Growing Up Online The majority of adolescents report using the Internet on a daily basis and are able to access the Internet both at home and at school (Lenhart et al., 2007).

Defining Cyberbullying “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the use of computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices” (Hinduja & Patchin, 2009, p. 5)

Variety of Behaviors, Variety of Technological Mediums Direct or indirect behaviors Behaviors that bullies use in the school setting may also be applied to cyber environments New behaviors (e.g., outing and trickery, masquerading, happy slapping, and picture/video clip bullying)

Differences with Traditional Bullying 24 hrs. a day/7 days a week Cyber bullies can maintain sense of anonymity No face-to-face contact – Empathy trap? Going viral

Gender Differences? Perceptions of cyberbullying – Girls report more distressing Frequency of cyberbullying – Mixed results

Impact of Cyberbullying Victims of cyberbullying are at increased risk of: – Physical health problems – Internalizing and externalizing problems – Poor academic outcomes

What Teens Can Do? Be careful of what you share online – Avoid sharing anything you’d be embarrassed for others to see – Don’t vent or complain about others online Set up privacy settings Don’t post or respond when emotionally charged

What Parents Can Do? Cyber safety Be an advocate Report bullying

What Witnesses Can Do? Potential to do harm – Directly join in – Indirectly encourage – Possibly re-victimize Potential to help – Comfort target – Communicate dissaproval – Document