Teenagers use cyber bullying as a form of communication due to the anonymity, accessibility, and permanence of online messages. Cyber bullying involves the use of technology to willfully harm others through messages. While both bullies and victims can experience cyber bullying, studies show bullies tend to have higher self-images and social competence compared to frequent online victims. The prevalence of cyber bullying points to a need for clearer definitions and further research on effective deterrence methods.

1. Lars Soderberg
Communication & Technology 250

2. Research Question
Why do teenagers use cyber bullying as a form
of communication?

3. What is Cyber Bullying?
• “Willful and repeated harm inflicted through
the use of computers, cell phones, and other
electronic devices.” (Schrock & Boyd, 2011, p.
374)
• Stereotypical widespread problem
• Anonymity
– Private Messages, use of social media, doesn’t
have to be done at school (Farrell, 2012, p.26)

5. Power of Cyber Bullying
• Growth of the internet
• Permanent posts
• Deadly effects
– Depression, suicide, etc. (Cloud, 2010)
• Fast publicity of message (Ringrose, 2011, p.
133)
• Anonymity
– Mystery regarding the root of the message  lack
of control (Ringrose, 2011, p. 132)

6. Cyber Bullying Outlets
• Social Media
– Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, etc.
• Email
• Blogs / Websites (Vandebosch & Van
Cleemput, 2009, p. 1)
• Text Messaging
• Instant Messaging
– AIM, iMessage, etc.

7. “The youngsters who perpetrate acts of cyber
bullying have, in many cases, also experienced
cyber bullying as victims or bystanders and vice
versa.” (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009,
p.22)

8. Types of Cyber Bullying
• Direct involvement of the victim
– Viruses, internet / mobile bullying, social exclusion
(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 5)
• Initial lack of involvement by the victim
– Online anonymity, internet / mobile bullying
(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 5)

9. A Cyber Bully’s Effectiveness
• Hyperpersonal communication
– The ambiguity of messages online may cause
under/over dramatization of messages (Farrell,
2012, p.28)
• Channel expansion theory
– The level of knowledge in regards to a channel,
message topic, context, and source will determine
the level of effectiveness (Farrell, 2012, p.28)

10. Exposure to Cyber Bullying
• 72% of 18-29 year olds use social networking
cites (Megan, 2012, p. 703)
• 15.8% of young adults in a study (596 people
ages 14-22) reported cyber-bullying compared
to 12.3% of adolescents (Megan, 2012, p. 705)
• In the study, 15.6% of harassing messages
came from someone unknown to the victim
(Megan, 2012, p. 712)

11. Exposure continued…
• School survey (177 7th graders)
– 14.5% reported to being cyber bullies
– 24.9% reported to being victims of cyber bullying
• Online study (500 teenagers aged 11-15)
(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 7)
– 32% sent anonymous harassing emails
– 29% sent harassing messages

12. Exposure Results
• Cyber bullying is different from case to case
• Traditional bullies and victimization online
(Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 11)
• Lack of responsibility by student body

13. Victim Profile
• Victims
– Girls were more likely to be the victim
(Ringrose, 2011, 122)
– Higher relationship between a strictly online
relationship with their bully
– Tend to be victims of traditional bullying as
well
– High internet dependency
– Not socially competent

14. Kristensen and Smith Study
• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 16-18)
– 44.8% knew their bully offline
– Half didn’t know their bully
– 14.1% were bullied by someone they only knew
online
– Experienced one form of offensive behavior orver
the internet / phone over the last 3 motnhs
• 61.9% reported to being victims
• 52.5% reported to being perpetrators
• 76.3% reported to being bystanders

15. Ybarra Study
• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 10)
– Males who reported as being depressed were
eight times more likely to report being a victim
“Ybarra identified both the amount of internet use
and the use of messenger programs as most
important predictors for the experience with cyber
bullying as a victim among females.” (Vandebosch &
Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 10)

16. Li Study
• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 11)
– 1/3 of “youngsters” bullied in school were also
cyber bullies
– 1/3 of “youngsters” reported their bullying in
school to backfire online and result in
victimization
– Majority of victims were females (p. 10)
– Strong correlation between cyber bullies and
cyber bully victims

17. Patchin & Hinduja Study
• (Vandebosch & Van Cleemput, 2009, p. 11)
– 42.5% of cyber bully victims were frustrated
– 40% of victims were angry
– 17% felt sad

18. Causes of Cyber Bullying
• The internet is a very liberating platform
• Easier establishment of social relationships
• Anonymity
– The identity of the bully is often secret (Erdur-
Baker, 2012, p. 111)
– Provides adoption of “a more aggressive persona”.
(Erdur-Baker, 2012, p. 110)

19. Causes continued…
• Easy access to technology (Farrell, 2012, p.26)
• Increased time spent online spent by
teenagers
– Age of identity exploration (Megan, 2012, p. 703)

20. Cyber Bully Profile
• Cyber Bullies
– High self image
– Social competence
– High relationship
between traditional
and online bully
– Lack of surveillance by
parents

21. Final Thoughts
• Cyber bullying is evident among teenagers
– Strong correlation between traditional and cyber bullies
• Cyber bullies tend to be victims as well  motivation
• Amount of internet use in combination with lack of
parental supervision show Cyber Bullying trends
• Victims seek security online  anonymity
• Age matters
• Boys vs. Girls
– Gender tendencies vary by study
• Cyber Bullies seek popularity  power
– Also can respond to events at school

22. Conclusion
• Bullying varies on a case to case basis
– Increasing use of the Internet is problematic
– Reasons vary
• A more clear cut definition of Cyber Bullying is
needed
– Too much room for dispute
• More research is needed
– Motives
• More studies
– Consequences
• How effective they are in regards to deterrence

23. Further Research
What communicative factors determine the
presence of Cyber Bullying among teenagers?
Are there any new mediums for Cyber Bullying?
How successful are current consequences at
deterring Cyber Bullying?
What is the best method of communication in order
to prevent Cyber Bullying?

24. Fun Links!
• http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-
news/cyberbullying-a-mobile-problem,1458938/
– Cyber Bulling on your mobile phone
• http://cyberbullying.us/
– Cyber Bullying information
• http://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/
– Cyber Bullying prevention tips & informaton
• http://www.today.com/tech/new-home-cyberbullying-
yik-yak-gossip-app-takes-high-schools-2D79597218
– New form of social media associated with Cyber Bullying
• http://magicvalley.com/news/local/schools-teens-
fight-cyberbullying/article_f45101aa-cdc4-11e3-9910-
0019bb2963f4.html
– Teenagers fight against Cyber Bullying