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Cyberbullying

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Running Head: CYBERBULLYING 1

Cyberbullying:

Summation and Annotated Bibliography

Rebecca J. Boulerice

Grand Canyon University

17 March 2015
CYBERBULLYING 2

Cyberbullying Summation

Patchin (2014) defines cyberbullying “as willful and repeated harm inflicted through the

use of computers, cell phones, or other electronic devices.” Cyberbullying is most often the act

of using the internet to negatively portray or interact with another person. Cyberbullying includes

cyber-stalking, sending threatening or degrading messages that frighten, intimidate or abuse a

person, public humiliation, destruction of property, social exclusion, or theft according to Florida

statute 784.048 (2014). These actions according to Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding

(2014) most likely often result in psychological distress including depression, anxiety, low self-

esteem, loss of interest in activities, and substance abuse, but may even contribute to physical

sickness or suicide.

Cyber problems have the potential to be at an all-time high since the cyber-world is

becoming more and more a daily part of life for pre-teens, teens, and adults. According to

Lenhart (2011), 95% of 12-17 year olds are online and 80% use social media. 69 percent of 799

teenagers believed that peers are mostly kind to each other online, but 88% said that they had

seen someone do something that would be potentially harmful to someone else online. 25% of

respondents said that online interactions turned into an in-person confrontation, 22% have ended

a friendship as a result of negative internet interaction, some interactions also cause anxiety,

problems with parents, physical fights, or gotten in trouble in school because of posting

something inappropriate online; and, more girls report being the victim of cyberbullying more

often than boys. The involvement of parents on cyber-use by children is very important.

Monitoring cyber use, using parental controls, and taking an active part in a child’s life are

essential to promoting positive use of cyber-resources as compared to children being victims or

perpetrators of cyberbullying.
CYBERBULLYING 3

The bad thing about cyberbullying is that it can happen anywhere or anytime. The internet,

phones, etc. operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The people perpetrating can be children or

adults and it may most likely happen as a result of a person being vulnerable to attack. In fact,

Youtube or even TV shows may also be classified as cyber-bullying. Depending on the media we

allow ourselves to watch, criticism has become a culturally accepted practice, even when it goes

too far. If people become desensitized to hearing disparaging remarks about people or threats,

seeing cyberbullying online won’t be considered a big deal.

Why do people do it? Sometimes people may be viewed as wounded animals and are

considered easier targets. They may not have the capacity to manage emotions as well as others,

or have a good support system at home. People with low self-esteem and poor socialization skills

are most at risk. However, this does not explain why people go after vulnerable individuals.

Sometimes people learn cruel behavior through role models including parents, teachers, and

peers. Perpetrators may have also been victims of cyberbullying or think it’s acceptable, because

they were never taught it was wrong. Cyberbullying is often more anonymous, which may make

it more appealing to people who want to cause someone else harm.

Ashbrook’s On Point: Felony Charges In A Cyber-Bullying Death (2013) explained that one

girl was upset that current boyfriend dated a 12 year old named Rebecca Ann Sedwick who

ultimately jumped off a building to her death after months of bullying. Perpetrator said “yes, I

bullied Rebecca and she killed herself, but I don’t give a f*$%!” Both girls perpetrating

cyberbullying were charged with aggravated stalking. Rebecca seemed to be a happy girl, but the

harassment was relentless. Although her parents sent her to counseling and changed her schools,

her parents did not take away access to computers or her cell phone, which they could have done.

They should have removed the venue for harassment.

CYBERBULLYING 4

Dunn (2014) on Words Wound discussed cyberbullying with Patchin. People are pretty

silent on the subject. They are bystanders who ignore cyberbullying, which is referred to as

bystander apathy as a result of groupthink-related theories. Bullies really are a minority, but they

are affecting people and wreaking havoc. Two most common reasons for bullying is revenge and

the second is that they think it’s a joke. There is a lack of cognitive empathy. Also, teens should

choose who to decide to associate themselves with, because their relationships will ultimately

affect their self-esteem and ability to thrive.

Overall, cyberbullying is a reflection of the culture we live in. The less we tolerate

harassment and humiliation of people, who are different, the better we will be. It also highlights

that special focus needs to be given on teaching children and teens appropriate conflict

resolution, emotion-management, and cognitive empathy. As an individualistic society, we don’t

always think about the cultural and collective impact our actions have on other people. Teens

should also do their best not to do things or provide information that would cause them

humiliation. With more technology, comes more responsibility.

CYBERBULLYING 5

References

Ashbrook, T. (2013). On point: felony charges in a cyber-bullying death. Retrieved on 17 March

2015 from http://onpoint.wbur.org/2013/10/18/cyber-bully-death

Dunn, K. (2014). Words Wound. Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from

http://www.wpr.org/listen/408736

Fund for Civility, Respect, and Understanding (2014). Cyberbullying effects. Received on 17

March 2015 from http://fundforcivility.org/cyberbullying-effects/

Cyberbullying Research Center. (2015). Cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from

http://cyberbullying.us/

Lenhart, A., Madden, M., Smith, A., Purcell, K., Zickuhr, K., & Rainie, L. (2011). Teens,

kindness and cruelty on social network sites. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from

http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/11/09/teens-kindness-and-cruelty-on-social-network-sites/

Wired Safety. (2014). Cyberbullying/harassment/stalking federal and state legislation. Received

on 17 March 2015 from

https://www.wiredsafety.org/toolkitmedia/files/file/Articles/Cyberbullying-Harassment-

Stalking_State_Legislation.pdf
CYBERBULLYING 6

Cyberbullying Annotated Bibliography

American Humane Association. (2013). Cyber bullying prevention and intervention. Retrieved

on 17 March 2015 from http://www.americanhumane.org/children/stop-child-abuse/fact-

sheets/cyber-bullying-prevention-and-intervention.html

The American Humane Association makes a stand against victimization of people at any

age. It offers helpful information specifically to parents to look for changes in a child that

might indicate they are victims or perpetrators of cyberbullying. They explain that clear

expectations must be set and monitored.

Cyberbullying Research Center. (2015). Cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17 March 2015

http://cyberbullying.us/

This website offers an array of different types of information including book references,

media presentations, blogs, contact information, and law regarding this subject. There are

resources for many different levels including educators, parents, teens and adult victims.

Do Something. (2015). 11 facts about cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from

https://www.dosomething.org/facts/11-facts-about-cyber-bullying

This website’s aim is to be a positive avenue of social change for young people. They have

active links to join campaigns and links to engage in positive internet activity as compared

to negative. It has a link to sign up for a positivity page that includes positive messages and

notes to friends and other people in school or on facebook. It also shares the facts and

negative effects of cyberbullying.

GDC. (2014). The 21 best resources for 2014 to prevent cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17 March

2015 from https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/the-21-best-resources-for-2014-to-prevent-

cyberbullying
CYBERBULLYING 7

This site provides information to 21 other resources considered the best in providing

information about cyberbullying. It gives links to other sites including blogs, several

organization pages, and resources for teachers.

Hinduja, S, & Patchin, J. (2007). Bullying beyond the schoolyard: Preventing and responding to

cyberbullying (2 ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.

This book explains the rapid growth of technology and this fact in relation to growing

capacity for misuse of technology. It provides laws against cyberbullying, children’s

experiences with cyberbullying, strategies to overcome and responsibilities to stop

cyberbullying.

Heads Up. (2013). Six unforgettable cyberbullying cases. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from

http://nobullying.com/six-unforgettable-cyber-bullying-cases/

This website describes the ultimate dangers that cyberbullying can lead to. It’s real world

stories that can be used by parents and teens as a tool to discuss negative consequences of

cyberbullying and providing information to friends or strangers online.

Lenhart, A., Madden, M., Smith, A., Purcell, K., Zickuhr, K., & Rainie, L. (2011). Teens,

kindness and cruelty on social network sites. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from

http://www.pewinternet.org/2011/11/09/teens-kindness-and-cruelty-on-social-network-sites/

This site hits hard-hitting facts home. The study included 799 teenagers that gave specific

answers to use of internet and cyberbullying related topics. The study also explored the

effects of social media use on family and friendships, and bystander behavior.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (2015). Cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17

March 2015 from http://www.netsmartz.org/Cyberbullying

 CYBERBULLYING 8

This site offers tips on how to deal with cyberbullying and how to reduce it in a teen’s life.

It also provides computer based education programs and tips. It also provides links to real

life stories and the outcomes of cyberbullying.

Project Positive. (2015). Stop Cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17 March 2015 from http://project-

positive.org

Project Positive is a website dedicated to positive use of the internet. It has a compliment

generator and a youth line to call. It also provides basic information about how to deal with

cyberbullying and promotes ways to positively use facebook, twitter, and Instagram.

US Department of Health & Human Services. (2015). Cyberbullying. Retrieved on 17 March

2015 from http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/

This website is a resource to explain a broad overview of cyberbullying and actively seeks

to prevent it and report it when it has occurred. It can be a resource for teachers, parents, or

children that have experienced cyberbullying. As many as 9% of middle school students and

high school students experience cyberbullying in the US.

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