Understanding & Responding to Cyber Bullying in the Cyber World

Dr. Faye Mishna, DeanMargaret & Wallace McCain Family Chair in Child & Familyf.mishna@utoronto.ca

January 31, 2013

Funded by

Context of Social Media World

Recent dramatic technological advances have forever changed how we communicate & interact

Children & youth are sophisticated users of technology

Youth acquire technological competence much faster than their parents

Youth seek social connections, information, personal assistance, entertainment online

Unprecedented opportunities for communication, learning & self-exploration

Access to crucial resources such as social support (Informal & formal), reduce sense of isolation

Most online interactions positive/neutral

Self-disclosure, social comparison, normalize feelings of distress

Social Media World: Benefits

Context of Social Media World: Risks

Can reinforce negative or unhealthy views of self

Can glamorize unhealthy identities through subculture that normalizes & encourages deviant behaviour

Can provides pool of participants with low self-worth who may be vulnerable to exploitative relationships• e.g., sites for anorexia, self-injury, pedophilia,

violence / terror

Context of Social Media World: Risks

Cyber risks, through communication technologies Bullying Sexual solicitation or victimization Exposure to harmful material

Pornography, violent images, hate messages

When child feels safe (home, room)

Those affected (youth) know much more about technology use than those who should protect (parents, educators)

Developmental characteristics & level of children & youth make them unprepared for the freedom afforded in the online world Dependency, growth, & change Autonomy & freedom

Young people need guidance in order to make the best choices when utilizing communication technologies

Navigating the Social Media World

No universal definition

The use of communication & information technology to cause harm to another person

Criteria: intent to cause harm, target, power imbalance

Includes behaviours to spread rumours, hurt / threaten others, or sexually harass

Cyber Bullying

Typically ranges from 10 to 35% (Agatston, Kowalski, &

Limber, 2007; Hinduja & Patchin, 2008; Kowalski & Limber, 2007; Kowalski et al., 2008; Li, 2007; Williams & Guerra, 2007)

Some estimates are much higher, up to 72% (Hoff & Mitchell, 2008; Juvonen & Gross, 2008; Mishna et al., 2010; Raskauskas & Stoltz, 2007)

Prevalence of Cyber Bullying

Engagement with social media world is constant Therefore cyber bullying transcends the

boundaries of time & space

Difficult to escape, because technology follows children & youth everywhere

Can impact young people above & beyond the effects of traditional bullying

What Makes Cyber Bullying Unique?

Mental Health Implications

Can be devastating for children & youth

Is of growing concern for parents, educators & society

Can affect many areas of child/youth’s life

“Like 1000 paper cuts eating away at your soul”

Education & Training

Adults require knowledge about the forms of cyber risk• Education to help identify & respond

appropriately

Education should focus on safe use of technology & harmful consequences of risky interactions

Assessment Considerations

Types of cyber risk

Children & youth may not recognize extent of harm caused by cyber bullying

Careful use of label “cyber bullying” Youth may not identify as targets or perpetrators of

cyber bullying But may be involved in cyber bullying behaviour

Must use youth’s language e.g., “drama”

Type of cyber risk

Level of youth understanding?

Labels & language?

Strategies to Address Cyber Bullying

Choose strategies thoughtfully & intentionally with consideration of the context

Tools in your toolbox (Walker, 2012)

Books, reports, research articles Brochures, fact sheets, safety tips School curriculum, webinars, tutorials Videos, DVDs, interactive media Youth driven prevention & intervention efforts Conversation starters to begin talking to youth about

technology use & cyber bullying

What professionals who work with children, youth & families can do (Bauman, 2011)

Facilitate help-seeking

Encourage sensitive responses from parents

Enlist the help of police & lawyers when necessary

Create innovative ways to support youth e.g., cyber counselling

Strategies to Address Cyber Bullying

What Social Workers Can Do

Individual counselling with youth involved Can be brief or longer: must be tailored Helping youth learn different ways of interacting

Youth support groups

Supporting parents

Advocacy at individual, community, societal levels

Workshops bringing together school administrators, teachers, parents, & youth (Bauman, 2011)

Adult supervision of technology challenging Parents faced with accepting children’s unavoidable

autonomy in cyber world, while trying to monitor activities Disclosure may be difficult because of fear of losing

technological privileges Ability for youth to tell adults is critical as delaying

disclosure delays receiving help Be supportive: associated with less cyber bullying Maintain open lines of communication Encourage youth to use technologies in positive ways Create environments in which children & youth feel safe

disclosing cyber bullying involvement

What Parents Can Do

The social media world is complex, pervasive & here to stay

Cyber bullying can occur on any technological device

Cyber bullying can include various harmful behaviours

Both overlap & distinctions between online & offline bullying

Key Points

Cyber bullying can be devastating

Adults must be supportive & accepting toward youth regarding their technology use

Adults must maintain open communication to help youth with technology use & problems that may arise

Key Points