Cyberbullying More Prevalent on Social Networking Sites
Cyberbullying is becoming more of a problem in the US. According to new research from the Pew Internet Project [PDF report link], one third (32%) of US online teenagers have been the victim of cyberbullying.
These attacks include receiving threatening messages; having their private emails or text messages forwarded without consent; having an embarrassing picture posted without permission; or having rumors about them spread online. When asked what form the cyberbullying took, the most common response was the sharing of private information (IMs, emails, etc) rather than direct threats.
Girls were more likely to be targets of cyberbullying than boys.
Teens who share their identities online are more vulnerable to cyberbullying. Further, it was observed that there is a direct correlation between time spent online and cyberbullying. Additionally, the use of social networking sites has spurred greater cyberbullying. 39% of social network (Facebook, Myspace) users had been cyberbullied in some way, versus 22% of teens not using social networking sites.
Cyberbullying, unlike bullying in general, can expose a victim to hundreds or even thousands through an email, blog post or profile. Additionally, many cyberbullies use the web to embolden their actions, as they can “hide behind their monitor.”
Via the BBC ; Tags: cyberbullying, cyber bullying, bullying, cyberbully, cyber bully, social networking, teens online, online safety, bullying policy
One Comment on “Cyberbullying More Prevalent on Social Networking Sites”
August 21st, 2007 at 5:46 pm
[...] The NSBA suggests setting up chat rooms or blogs where students can talk about, and collaborate on, schoolwork. They also suggest altering policies that ban or restrict the use of these sites while at school. The survey found that the reports of cyberbullying or online bullying could be out of proportion to the fear induced by it. Their report indicated that 7% of students surveyed said they were victims of cyberbullying - this is much less than the 32% indicated in a survey by PEW conducted earlier this summer. The NSBA survey also included a separate study on how districts use technology. 96% of the district leaders interviewed say that teachers assign homework via the Internet, and nearly half of the schools go online for collaborative projects with other schools. Currently, 80% of schools ban chat software, and more than 50% ban the use of social networking sites. This policy may be too restrictive. Social networking can be embraced for its ‘social’ modes of learning, and with education on Internet safety, can be a valuable educational tool. ‘One reason why many educators do not find the technologies ‘useful educational tools’ comes from the fact that the teaching paradigm that most teachers use—kids ‘being taught’ (mostly by lecture)—conflicts with these technologies,’ he said in an e-mail. ‘If you are lecturing, they are mainly an interruption. The technologies become much more useful (and in fact necessary) once the paradigm shifts to ‘students teaching themselves’ (with guidance).’ [...]