Cyberbullying: The New Way to Bully

Abstract

: To identify up-to-date trends in cyber-bullying and highlight the risks, consequences and contexts of cyberbullying in 2011. METHOD: We held four focus groups lasting approximately one hour each. A total of 45 undergraduates participated (14 males, 31 females) in groups ranging from 9-13 members. Three groups were single gender (1 all male, 2 all female) and one was mixed gender. Group members were provided refreshments. RESULTS: Grounded theory analysis was used to identify major themes in the transcripts. Major themes included: 1) Cyberbullying is easier than face to face bullying because it is less personal and more indirect, 2) Cyberbullying is minimized as a problem, 3) Using technology is seen as essentially consenting to cyberbullying; 4) Sometimes cyberbullying has serious consequences, and 5) There are steps you can take to partially protect yourself. DISCUSSION: We hope to use these themes and the examples provided in the focus groups to develop a survey to assess the prevalence of this phenomenon. Cyberbullying has serious , often under-recognized implications . The more we know about the severity and the effects of cyberbullying the more we can find ways to prevent it.