Cyber Bullying is also known as electronic bullying, SMS bullying, mobile bullying, online or internet bullying. The vast majority of it takes place in chat rooms, and by computer text messaging and e-mail.
The traditional method of bullying is now accompanied by this underhanded method. People are using technology to bully. Cyber bullying is a “willful and repeated harm inflicted through the medium of electronic text” (Hinduja and Patchin, 2005 p.1). Cyber bullies have the added protection of remaining anonymous to their victims. These bullies use computers to send harassing e-mails or instant messages, post obscene and malicious messages to online bulletin boards or may even develop websites to encourage and circulate derogatory content. Another means of cyber bullying is the use of text messages with mobile phones.
Using the Internet, this research examined the levels of cyber bullying in post-primary schools. It assessed who are the perpetrators and the victims, why people are using technology to bully, the similarities and differences between cyber bullying and traditional bullying and the effects of cyber bullying on the victims. Establishing the existence of cyber bullying means incorporating it into anti-bullying policies, therefore bringing an end to this harassment.
The research was carried out by Lucie Corcoran supervised by Dr Irene Connolly and Professor Mona O Moore. Lucie graduated with her masters degree in November 2009 and is proceeding to PhD studies in TCD.
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