Bullying on the pixel playground: Investigating risk factors of cyberbullying at the intersection of children’s online-offline social lives

Steven J. Seiler; Jordana N. Navarro

doi:10.5817/CP2014-4-6

Bullying on the pixel playground: Investigating risk factors of cyberbullying at the intersection of children’s online-offline social lives

Vol.8,No.4(2014)

Steven J. Seiler Jordana N. Navarro

https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2014-4-6

How to Cite:

Seiler, S. J., & Navarro, J. N. (2014). Bullying on the pixel playground: Investigating risk factors of cyberbullying at the intersection of children’s online-offline social lives. Cyberpsychology: Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace, 8(4), Article 6. https://doi.org/10.5817/CP2014-4-6

HTML

Abstract

Although cyberbullying as a serious social problem has received significant attention within the mass media as well as among researchers, experiences of cyberbullying among children in the U.S. are still occurring (Dean, 2012; Salazar, 2010). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between social factors (i.e., sociability, social networking site use, Internet use via cell phones), risky online behaviors (i.e., lying about age, sexting, and harassing others), children’s emotional attachment to interactions within SNS, and parental involvement in children’s online social lives on the likelihood of being victims of cyberbullying as well as offline bullying. We found that increased sociability and parental involvement decreased the likelihood of being both cyberbullied and being bullied offline; daily SNS use, Internet use via cell phones, emotional attachment to interactions within SNS, and engaging in risky online behaviors increased the likelihood of being both cyberbullied and bullied offline. The findings suggest (1) cyberbullying is not categorically distinct from offline bullying; (2) future research is necessary to explore the qualitative impact of various risky online behaviors on both online and offline bullying; and (3) research is necessary to further understand the qualitative dimensions of parental involvement and emotional investment in online social life in decreasing online and offline bullying.

Keywords:
Bullying; Cyberbullying; Adolescence

Author biographies

Steven J. Seiler

Steven Seiler, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Political Science at Tennessee Technological University. As a social psychologist, his research focuses primarily on the impact of the Internet and mobile phones on the self, identities, and personal relationships.

Jordana N. Navarro

Jordana Navarro, PhD, is an Assistant Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Political Science at Tennessee Technological University. Her research interests include cyber-victimization and domestic violence. Her current research focuses on the prevalence and underreporting of domestic violence on college campuses.

References

Ackers, M. J. (2012). Cyberbullying: Through the eyes of children and young people. Educational Psychology in Practice, 28, 141-157. https://doi.org/10.1080/02667363.2012.665356

Agger, B. (2013). Texting toward utopia: Kids, writing, and resistance. Boulder, CO: Paradigm Publishing, Inc.

Aoyama, I., Saxon, T. F., & Fearon, D. D. (2011). Internalizing problems among cyberbullying victims and moderator effects of friendship quality. Multicultural Education & Technology Journal, 5, 92-105. https://doi.org/10.1108/17504971111142637

Baker, R. K., & White, K. M. (2011). In their own words: Why teenagers don't use social networking sites. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 14, 395-398.

Bauman, S. (2010). Cyberbullying in a rural intermediate school: An exploratory study. The Journal of Early Adolescence, 30, 803-833. https://doi.org/10.1177/0272431609350927

Bauman, S., Toomey, R. B., & Walker, J. L. (2013). Associations among bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide in high school students. Journal of Adolescence, 36, 341-350. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.12.001

Beran, T., & Li, Q. (2005). Cyber-harassment: A study of a new method for an old behavior. Journal of Educational Computing Research, 32, 265-277. https://doi.org/10.2190/8YQM-B04H-PG4D-BLLH

Bossler, A. M., & Holt, T. J. (2009). On-line activities, guardianship, and malware infection: an examination of routine activities theory. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 3(1), 400-420.

Bossler, A. M., Holt, T. J., & May, D. C. (2012). Predicting online harassment victimization among a juvenile population. Youth & Society, 44, 500-523. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X11407525

Boulton, M. J., & Smith, P. K. (1994). Bully/victim problems in middle-school children: Stability, self-perceived competence, peer perceptions and peer acceptance. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 12, 315–329. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2044-835X.1994.tb00637.x

Boulton, M. J., Trueman, M., Chau, C., Whitehand, C., & Amatya, K. (1999). Concurrent and longitudinal links between friendship and peer victimization: Implications for befriending interventions. Journal of Adolescence, 22, 461–466. https://doi.org/10.1006/jado.1999.0240

Boulton, M. J., & Underwood, K. (1992). Bully victim problems among middle school children. British Journal of Developmental Psychology, 62, 73–87.

Campbell, M., Spears, B., Slee, P., Butler, D., & Kift, S. (2012). Victims’ perceptions of traditional and cyberbullying, and the psychosocial correlates of their victimisation. Emotional and Behavioural Difficulties, 17(3-4), 389-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/13632752.2012.704316

Christakis, D. A. (2010). Internet addiction: A 21st century epidemic? BMC Medicine, 8(61). https://doi.org/10.1186/1741-7015-8-61

Cummings, J., Sproull, L., & Kiesler, S. (2002). Beyond hearing: Where real world and online support meet. Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practices, 6, 78–88. https://doi.org/10.1037/1089-2699.6.1.78

D'Antona, R., Kevorkian, M., & Russom, A. (2010). Sexting, texting, cyberbullying and keeping youth safe online. Journal of Social Sciences, 6, 523-528. https://doi.org/10.3844/jssp.2010.523.528

Dake, J. A., Price, J. H., Maziarz, L., & Ward, B. (2012). Prevalence and correlates of sexting behavior in adolescents. American Journal of Sexuality Education, 7, 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/15546128.2012.650959

Dean, M. (2012, October 18). The Story of Amanda Todd. The New Yorker. Retrieved from: http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/culture/2012/10/amanda-todd-michael-brutsch-and-free-speech-online.html

Dehue, F., Bolman, C., & Völlink, T. (2008). Cyberbullying: Youngsters' experiences and parental perception. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 11, 217-223. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2007.0008

DeSmet, A., Veldeman, C., Poels, K., Bastiaensens, S., Van Cleemput, K., Vandebosch, H., & De Bourdeaudhuij, I. (2014). Determinants of self-reported bystander behavior in cyberbullying incidents amongst adolescents. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 17, 207-215. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2013.0027

Gest, S. D., Graham‐Bermann, S. A., & Hartup, W. W. (2001). Peer experience: Common and unique features of number of friendships, social network centrality, and sociometric status. Social Development, 10, 23-40. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9507.00146

Gomez-Garibello, C., Shariff, S., McConnell, M., & Talwar, V. (2012). Adolescents’ evaluation of cyberbullying events. Alberta Journal of Educational Research, 58, 474-477.

Gergen, K. (2002). The challenge of absent presence. In J. E. Katz & M. Aakhus (Eds.), Perpetual contact: Mobile communication (pp. 227-241). Private Talk, Public Performance.. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press

Griffiths, M. (1999). Internet addiction: Fact or fiction? The Psychologist, 12, 246-250.

Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2008). Cyberbullying: An exploratory analysis of factors related to offending and victimization. Deviant Behavior, 29, 129-156. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620701457816

Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010a). Bullying, cyberbullying, and suicide. Archives of Suicide Research, 14, 206-221. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2010.494133

Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2010b). Sexting: A brief guide for educators and parents. Cyberbullying Research Center. Retrieved from: http://www.cyberbullying.us/Sexting_Fact_Sheet.pdf

Hinduja, S., & Patchin, J. W. (2011). Cyberbullying: A review of the legal issues facing educators. Preventing School Failure: Alternative Education for Children and Youth, 55, 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1080/1045988X.2011.539433

Hodges, E. V. E., & Perry, D. G. (1996). Victims of peer abuse: An overview. Journal of Emotional and Behavioural Problems, 5, 23–28.

Kochenderfer, B. J., & Ladd, G. W. (1997). Victimized children’s responses to peers’ aggression: Behaviors associated with reduced versus continued victimization. Development and Psychopathology, 9, 59–73. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0954579497001065

Kowalski, R. M., & Limber, S. P. (2013). Psychological, physical, and academic correlates of cyberbullying and traditional bullying. Journal of Adolescent Health, 53(1), S13-S20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2012.09.018

Li, Q. (2010). Cyberbullying in high schools: A study of students' behaviors and beliefs about this new phenomenon. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 19, 372-392. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771003788979

Lwin, M. O., Stanaland, A. J., & Miyazaki, A. D. (2008). Protecting children's privacy online: How parental mediation strategies affect website safeguard effectiveness. Journal of Retailing, 84, 205-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2008.04.004

Madden, M., Lenhart, A., Duggan, M., Cortesi, S., & Gasser, U. (2013). Teens and technology. Pew Research Center. Retrieved from: http://www.pewinternet.org/files/old-media/Files/Reports/2013/PIP_TeensandTechnology2013.pdf

Marcum, C. D. (2008). Identifying potential factors of adolescent online victimization for high school seniors. International Journal of Cyber Criminology, 2(2), 346-367.

Marcum, C. D., Higgins, G. E., Freiburger, T. L., & Ricketts, M. L. (2013). Exploration of the cyberbullying victim/offender overlap by sex. American Journal of Criminal Justice, 1-11.

Marcum, C. D., Higgins, G. E., & Ricketts, M. L. (2010). Potential factors of online victimization of youth: An examination of adolescent online behaviors utilizing routine activity theory. Deviant Behavior, 31, 381-410. https://doi.org/10.1080/01639620903004903

Mishna, F., Khoury-Kassabri, M., Gadalla, T., & Daciuk, J. (2012). Risk factors for involvement in cyber bullying: Victims, bullies and bully–victims. Children and Youth Services Review, 34, 63-70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2011.08.032

Navarro, J. N., & Jasinski, J. L. (2012). Going cyber: Using routine activities theory to predict cyberbullying experiences. Sociological Spectrum, 32, 81-94. https://doi.org/10.1080/02732173.2012.628560

Navarro, J. N., & Jasinski, J. L. (2013). Why girls? Using routine activities theory to predict cyberbullying experiences between girls and boys. Women & Criminal Justice, 23, 286-303. https://doi.org/10.1080/08974454.2013.784225

Neustadtl, A. & Robinson, J. P. (2002). Social contact differences between Internet users and nonusers in the General Social Survey. IT & Society, 1(1), 73-102.

Olweus, D. (2012). Cyberbullying: An overrated phenomenon? European Journal of Developmental Psychology, 9, 520-538. https://doi.org/10.1080/17405629.2012.682358

Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2006). Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: A preliminary look at cyberbullying. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4, 148-169. https://doi.org/10.1177/1541204006286288

Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2012). Cyberbullying prevention and response: Expert perspectives. New York, NY: Routledge.

Perren, S., & Alsaker, F. D. (2006). Social behavior and peer relationships of victims, bully‐victims, and bullies in kindergarten. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47, 45-57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2005.01445.x

Pew Research Center. (2011). Teens & digital citizenship survey 2011 [Data file and code book]. Retrieved from: http://www.pewinternet.org/datasets/

Raskauskas, J., & Stoltz, A. D. (2007). Involvement in traditional and electronic bullying among adolescents. Developmental Psychology, 43, 564-575. https://doi.org/10.1037/0012-1649.43.3.564

Reyns, B. W., Burek, M. W., Henson, B., & Fisher, B. S. (2013). The unintended consequences of digital technology: Exploring the relationship between sexting and cybervictimization. Journal of Crime and Justice, 36, 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/0735648X.2011.641816

Sabella, R. A., Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying myths and realities. Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 2703-2711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2013.06.040

Salazar, C. (2010, May 24). Alexis Pilkington Facebook horror: Cyber bullies harass teen even after suicide. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/03/24/alexis-pilkington-faceboo_n_512482.html

Schreck, C. J. (1999). Criminal victimization and low self-control: An extension and test of a general theory of crime. Justice Quarterly, 16, 633-654. https://doi.org/10.1080/07418829900094291

Sengupta, A., & Chaudhuri, A. (2011). Are social networking sites a source of online harassment for teens? Evidence from survey data. Children and Youth Services Review, 33, 284-290. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.09.011

Slonje, R., & Smith, P. K. (2008). Cyberbullying: Another main type of bullying? Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 49, 147-154. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9450.2007.00611.x

Smith, P. K., Mahdavi, J., Carvalho, M., Fisher, S., Russell, S., & Tippett, N. (2008). Cyberbullying: Its nature and impact in secondary school pupils. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 49, 376-385. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2007.01846.x

Staksrud, E., Ólafsson, K., & Livingstone, S. (2013). Does the use of social networking sites increase children’s risk of harm? Computers in Human Behavior, 29, 40-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2012.05.026

Tomşa, R., Jenaro, C., Campbell, M., & Neacşu, D. (2013). Student's experiences with traditional bullying and cyberbullying: Findings from a Romanian sample. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 78, 586-590. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2013.04.356

Thomson, M., MacInnis, D. J., & Park, C. W. (2005). The ties that bind: Measuring the strength of consumers’ emotional attachments to brands. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 15, 77-91. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327663jcp1501_10

Turkle, S. (2008). Always-on/Always-on-you: The tethered self. In J. E. Katz (Ed.), Handbook of Mobile Communication Studies (pp. 121-137). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. https://doi.org/10.7551/mitpress/9780262113120.003.0010

Van Cleemput, K. (2010). “I’ll see you on IM, text, or call you”: A social network approach of adolescents’ Use of Communication Media. Bulletin of Science, Technology & Society, 30, 75-85. https://doi.org/10.1177/0270467610363143

Vandebosch, H., & Van Cleemput, K. (2009). Cyberbullying among youngsters: Profiles of bullies and victims. New Media & Society, 11, 1349-1371. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444809341263

Widyanto, L., & Griffiths, M. (2006). ‘Internet addiction’: A critical review. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 4, 31-51. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-006-9009-9

Young, K. S. (1998). Internet addiction: The emergence of a new clinical disorder. CyberPsychology & Behavior, 1, 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.1998.1.237

Metrics