Cyber Bullying: Who is the Target?
Does Age Play a Role in Cyber Victimization?
Cyber bullying is not restricted to a specific age group and can emerge at anytime through out an individual’s life. The use of electronic media and communication by young populations has increased dramatically over the last decade, which has ultimately led to the increase of cyber victimization among younger populations (i.e. elementary and middle school). Research has shown that age groups across the board; those individuals in elementary school to college are vulnerable of becoming victims of cyber bullying.
Does Gender Play a Role in Cyber Victimization?
There have been inconsistent findings regarding gender and the role it plays in cyber victimization (Slonje et al., 2012). When looking at different forms of cyber bullying behavior, Gradinger et al., 2009, found that gender was an important factor for those who are involved in cyber bullying but not for those who fall victim to cyber victimization.
Once the Victim Always the Victim...?
An individual’s status in traditional bullying can be used as an indication as to whether that individual is a victim or bully in cyber bullying. Research has shown that victims of traditional bullying also fall victim to cyber bullying. Most individuals who fall victim to cyber bullying were at the same time also victims of traditional bullying. Gradinger et al., 2009, highlighted the overlapping nature of traditional and cyber- bullying victimization.
Internet Chat Rooms & Cyber Bullying
Those individuals, especially adolescents who are victimized in the traditional setting look for refuge from their victimization in online Internet chat rooms. The anonymity of chat rooms gives the victim the opportunity and means to cast off the characteristics of their personality that they cannot in the traditional setting. These characteristics are generally the reason for their victimization in regards to traditional bullying. Katzer et al., 2009, demonstrated the relationship between victimization in school and in Internet chat rooms. Results support the notion that those, “adolescents who fall victim to traditional bullying in school are also more likely to experience chat room victimization” (Katzer et al., 2009). Those individuals who frequently exhibit socially manipulative behavior when visiting chat rooms in regards to spreading lies and false statements concerning their age and/ or sex more likely to fall victim to chat room victimization (Katzer et al., 2009). In regards to chat room involvement, research has confirmed that those individuals who fall victim to cyber victimization generally put themselves at risk. Individuals who frequently visit and interact within chat rooms that involve risky behavior such a pornographic, extremist, or holligan chat rooms are more likely to fall victim to cyber victimization (Kratzer et al., 2009).
Is the Bully the Victim?
More research is surfacing regarding the ‘bully- victim’ relationship. Gradinger et al., 2009, found that students who were either traditional or cyber- traditional bullies were also involved in cyber victimization. These results highlighted the notion that although an individual is a bully in either domain, they are not necessary free from falling victim to cyber victimization.
Characteristics of Targeted Individuals
A number of characteristics have been identified as indicators that can be used to predict cyber victimization. Those who fall victim to cyber bullying generally have a low level of popularity and low self- concept (Kratzer et al., 2009). Characteristics of cyber victimization also involve the behavior of the victim’s parents, the parents of those individuals who fell victim to cyber bullying exhibit over protected behavior toward the victim at home (Kratzer et al., 2009).
Cyber bullying is not restricted to a specific age group and can emerge at anytime through out an individual’s life. The use of electronic media and communication by young populations has increased dramatically over the last decade, which has ultimately led to the increase of cyber victimization among younger populations (i.e. elementary and middle school). Research has shown that age groups across the board; those individuals in elementary school to college are vulnerable of becoming victims of cyber bullying.
Does Gender Play a Role in Cyber Victimization?
There have been inconsistent findings regarding gender and the role it plays in cyber victimization (Slonje et al., 2012). When looking at different forms of cyber bullying behavior, Gradinger et al., 2009, found that gender was an important factor for those who are involved in cyber bullying but not for those who fall victim to cyber victimization.
Once the Victim Always the Victim...?
An individual’s status in traditional bullying can be used as an indication as to whether that individual is a victim or bully in cyber bullying. Research has shown that victims of traditional bullying also fall victim to cyber bullying. Most individuals who fall victim to cyber bullying were at the same time also victims of traditional bullying. Gradinger et al., 2009, highlighted the overlapping nature of traditional and cyber- bullying victimization.
Internet Chat Rooms & Cyber Bullying
Those individuals, especially adolescents who are victimized in the traditional setting look for refuge from their victimization in online Internet chat rooms. The anonymity of chat rooms gives the victim the opportunity and means to cast off the characteristics of their personality that they cannot in the traditional setting. These characteristics are generally the reason for their victimization in regards to traditional bullying. Katzer et al., 2009, demonstrated the relationship between victimization in school and in Internet chat rooms. Results support the notion that those, “adolescents who fall victim to traditional bullying in school are also more likely to experience chat room victimization” (Katzer et al., 2009). Those individuals who frequently exhibit socially manipulative behavior when visiting chat rooms in regards to spreading lies and false statements concerning their age and/ or sex more likely to fall victim to chat room victimization (Katzer et al., 2009). In regards to chat room involvement, research has confirmed that those individuals who fall victim to cyber victimization generally put themselves at risk. Individuals who frequently visit and interact within chat rooms that involve risky behavior such a pornographic, extremist, or holligan chat rooms are more likely to fall victim to cyber victimization (Kratzer et al., 2009).
Is the Bully the Victim?
More research is surfacing regarding the ‘bully- victim’ relationship. Gradinger et al., 2009, found that students who were either traditional or cyber- traditional bullies were also involved in cyber victimization. These results highlighted the notion that although an individual is a bully in either domain, they are not necessary free from falling victim to cyber victimization.
Characteristics of Targeted Individuals
A number of characteristics have been identified as indicators that can be used to predict cyber victimization. Those who fall victim to cyber bullying generally have a low level of popularity and low self- concept (Kratzer et al., 2009). Characteristics of cyber victimization also involve the behavior of the victim’s parents, the parents of those individuals who fell victim to cyber bullying exhibit over protected behavior toward the victim at home (Kratzer et al., 2009).
Fifteen year old, Phoebe Prince a new girl from Ireland, was a target and victim of relentless cyber- bullying. Due to the continuous cyber - bullying elicited by her peers, she committed suicide in her Massachusetts home on January 14th, 2010.