PSY 226 Final Presentation

Callie Zarcone - PSY 226

Cyberbullying inAdolescents

Current Policies

Overview of Presentation

Schools' Involvement

Basics of Cyberbullying

Parental Involvement

Effects of the Harrassment

Contributing Factors

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Definitions & Statistics

Basics of Cyberbullying

* anyone can fall victim to cyberbullying * adolescent boys are typically more victim to physical IRL bullying, while adolescent girls are more victim to cyberbullying

* 72% of global adolescents have reported being a victim of some form of online bullying (Landstedt, E., & Persson, 2014) * as of 2021, all 50 states in the nation have explicit anti-cyberbullying laws in place

Some Stats

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Who is affected?

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“bullying perpetrated with digital technology,” (Bauman, 2013, p. 249) * refers to any aggressive behavior via the internet * showcases a power imbalance between two

What is Cyberbullying?

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What could cause engagement in this?

Contributing Factors

It is important to understand there is no EXCUSE for engaging in cyberbullying!

• not educated enough to understand the consequences
• feel there are no repercussions
• feel as though the harassment is truly anonymous

More Likely to Engage Because:

• internalize depression/mental health issues
• have insecurities of their own
• engage in order to seem 'cool' to peers

Aggressors may:

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A Look Inside the Victim's World

Effects of Cyberbullying

• academic decline
• loss of motivation
• loss of engagement in classes
• loss of sleep
• headaches, body aches
• stress related sicknesses

• Social Withdraw
• Social isolation
• Suicidal ideation (extreme cases)

• Mental health issues
• depression
• anxiety

Lesser Known Effects:

Common Effects:

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What is currently in effect?

Current Policies in Place

• This act is a federal law, which all states must incorporate into their systems
• enacted by Congress in 2000
• expresses K-12 Schools and public libraries must filter information and resources children can access
• in order to limit their exposure to inappropriate items
• also includes cyberbullying or any online messaging that could result in such

Children's Internet Protection Act

CIPA

• one of many examples of individual state policies for anti-cyberbullying
• specific to New York
• enforces a strict supportive, friendly, environment within schools
• provides schools free of harassment or discrimination from any student
• states that school districts will collect, and report data that goes against this act

Dignity for All Students Act

DASA

• Missouri, 2006
• In Memorium of 13-year-old Megan Meier
• resident of Chesterfield, MO
• committed suicide due to harassing messages over electronic communication
• created an update in Missouri harassment laws, to cover online bullying
• texts
• emails
• stalking done through social media

Megan Meier act

Map from: https://www.stopbullying.gov/resources/laws

Map of Current U.S. Involvement

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Prevention Strategies 1

School Involvement

• establishing a discipline procedure and policy for those who engage in cyberbullying
• scare factor implementation, drives students away from engaging
• no tolerance policies = expulsion
• creating a team with law enforcement
• "Cybercops"
• follows direct law-abiding procedures
• create a safe environment for students to feel comfortable reporting instances of cyberbullying
• have a set reporting system in place

Schools Can Prevent Cyberbullying by:

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Prevention Strategies 2

Parental Involement

• have open discussions with their kids
• the harms of bullying
• the discipline that comes with it
• have certain access to their children's devices
• maintain a 'family computer'
• share passwords
• PTA teaming with law enforcement
• establishes a direct connection in order to proceed with aggressors, correctly
• become educated and support their children
• CRUCIAL for adolescents to have a support system when dealing with this issue
• allows for a stronger parent-child bond

Parents CAN get involved by:

STOP BULLYING NOW HOTLINE (USA): 1-800-273-8255 NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE (USA) 1-800-273-8255 National Bullying Prevention Center ONLINE: https://www.pacer.org/bullying/info/cyberbullying/ Further Educational Resources can be found on: https://internetsafety101.org/cyberbullyingresources

Cyberbullying Resources

References: Bauman, S. (2013). Cyberbullying: What Does Research Tell Us? Theory Into Practice, 52(4), 249–256. Retrieved October 9, 2023, from, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43893893 Beale, A. V., & Hall, K. R. (2007). Cyberbullying: What School Administrators (And Parents) Can Do. The Clearing House, 81(1), 8–12. Retrieved October 10, 2023, from, http://www.jstor.org/stable/30189945 Landstedt, E., & Persson, S. (2014). Bullying, cyberbullying, and mental health in young people. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 42(4), 393–399. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from, http://www.jstor.org/stable/45150813 Thomas, H. J., et all (2015). Integrating Traditional Bullying and Cyberbullying: Challenges of Definition and Measurement in Adolescents - a Review. Educational Psychology Review, 27(1), 135–152. Retrieved October 11, 2023, from, http://www.jstor.org/stable/43548454

THANK YOU!Any Questions?