This document outlines an action research proposal to address the problem of a lack of awareness among parents and teachers about cyberbullying detection and intervention. The proposal suggests developing training programs to educate stakeholders on the signs of cyberbullying and appropriate response strategies. Effectiveness will be measured by comparing pre- and post-implementation referral data. The goal is for educators and parents to gain knowledge of practices for handling cyberbullying incidents.

1. The Ryan Halligan Story
*If the above video doesn’t play, view it at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2owK4tpMUrk

2. A Parent and Teacher Training
Program for Cyberbullying
Detection and Intervention
An Action Research Proposal by Andy Jeter

3. About this Presentation
One requirement of my Master’s program involves an
Action Research Project.
One component of the project is a presentation of my
proposal to other professionals in the education field.
The University of Phoenix has a non-implementation policy
so my research will not involve data from our school.
My hope is that, through sharing what I’ve learned with my
colleagues, I might provide you with valuable information
that you can use to the benefit of our students.

4. What is Cyberbullying?
“Cyberbullying is the deliberate and persistent
harassment of an individual or a group of individuals
using one or more Internet-based communication
methods” (CyberAngels Internet Safety Program,
2007).
This definition of cyberbullying has grown to include
the use of mobile telecommunication enabled devices
such as cellular phones.

5. Why Cyberbullying?
Cyberbullying affects the age group of our students
more than any other age group.
This growing problem has impacts off and on campus.
Unlike the so-called playground bullying of yesterday,
cyberbullying has the ability to follow students
wherever they go.
The constant bombardment of harassment threatens
the well-being and safety of students as well as
student achievement.

6. Problem Statement
The problem is that a majority of educators and
parents of middle and high school students are
unaware of the warning signs of cyberbullying and
how to address incidents involving cyberbullying.

7. Problem Description
Cyberbullying affects student performance and
safety.
Most cyberbullying happens off school campus by it’s
impacts are felt on campus.
A lack of parent and teacher awareness of
cyberbullying has resulted from the absence of
information on detection and intervention of
cyberbullying.

8. Problem Description
Most cyberbullying occurs unreported and
undetected.
Parents and teachers are uninformed and ill-equipped
to handle cyberbullying incidents when they learn of
them.

9. Prior Research
Prior research suggests that the advent of popular
social networking sites has led to an increase in online
bullying (Cyberbullying concerns, 2007).
In a study of students between the ages of 11 and 16,
reasearchers found that many victims of traditional
bullying are also victims of cyberbullying while many
bullies who participate in traditional bullying also
cyberbully (Mahdavi et al., 2008).

10. Prior Research
A study in Sweden found that adolescents were more likely
to tell their friends or nobody at all about their
cyberbullying experiences and that many victims of
cyberbullying had also bullied others (Slonje & Smith,
2008).
A study of bullying behavior amongst students aged 11, 13,
and 15 found that students who have a greater sense of
empowerment from their teachers are less likely to
participate or become victims of cyberbullying (Nation et
al., 2008).

11. Prior Research
Research shows that less than 1/10th of cyberbullying
victims report telling an adult (Dehue & Bolman,
2008, p. 220).
Students are more likely to tell a friend about being
cyberbullied than an adult (Feinburg & Robey, 2009).
Of reasons not to tell an adult, 50% of victims didn’t
tell a parent that they were being bullied because
they believed they ‘‘need to learn to deal with it’’
(Juvonen & Gross, 2008).

12. Prior Research
Research suggests that most schools do not clearly
address cyberbullying in their policies (Smith et al.,
2008).

13. Project Goal
The goal of this project is that a majority of educators
and parents will be adequately informed of effective
strategies to detect incidents involving cyberbullying
as well as measures that can be taken to intervene
when cyberbullying occurs.

14. Solution Strategy
Creation of a committee of faculty and parents to plan
trainings and to determine the content, scope and
sequence for trainings and workshops that will focus on
cyberbullying education for stakeholders and students.
Trainings will be held for teachers to clarify school policies,
implementing cyberbullying education for students,
strategies for detecting cyberbullying behavior and the
appropriate course of action for intervention.

15. Solution Strategy
For parents, workshops will be held to clarify school
policies, steps to take to ensure children’s safe and
ethical use of technology outside of school, who to
contact if cyberbullying occurs and how to intervene
effectively.
Trainings will not only educate parents about
cyberbullying and school policy, but will provide a
basis for creating a network between the home and
school.

16. Solution Strategy
A follow-up session will be held following the
separate trainings, bringing teachers, administrators,
community members and parents together to
establish a network amongst all stakeholders.
Community members such as resource officers and
other relevant agencies and organizations will be
invited to attend the session to provide information
about the services they provide.

17. How is Success Measured?
Quantitative analysis will be used to evaluate the
results of this study.
A comparison of referral data before, during, and
after implementation of the solution strategy will be
done to show percentages of incidents involving
cyberbullying that include prior intervention by a
parent or teacher.

18. Resources
Cyberbullying Research Center - http://www.cyberbullying.us/: This website
is run by two leading researchers on the topic of cyberbullying, Dr. Justin W.
Patchin and Dr. Sameer Hinduja. Their research has involved data from over
10,000 youth about their experiences with cyberbullying.
BrainPop: Cyberbullying -
http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/cyberbullying
/: BrainPop provides an engaging video lesson about cyberbullying as well
as a quiz. and other activities. Quiz results can be emailed to the teacher.
BrainPop: Digital Etiquette -
http://www.brainpop.com/technology/computersandinternet/digitaletiquet
te/: BrainPop also provides a video lesson focusing on digital etiquette that
also has a quiz. This lesson and the cyberbullying lesson make for a great
pairing on cyberbullying related issues.

19. Resources
Stop Cyberbullying - http://www.stopcyberbullying.org/index2.html -
This website provides information organized specifically for different
age groups and or stakeholders including ages 7-10, 11-13, 14-17,
parents, educators and law enforcement. The site provides general
information about cyberbullying, laws, and ways to take action.
SafeKids: Cyberbullying Resources -
http://www.safekids.com/cyberbullying-resources/ - This page serves
as a portal to cyberbullying resources.
CyberSmart: Cyberbullying Awareness Curriculum -
http://www.nasponline.org/resources/cyberbullying/: This website
provides a curriculum created through a partnership between the
National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) and CyberSmart
that focuses on cyberbullying prevention at the classroom level as
well providing outreach to families and the community.

20. Resources
National Crime Prevention Council: Cyberbullying -
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/cyberbullying: The National Crime
Prevention Council (NCPC) website provides a detailed explanation
of cyberbullying and resources including information about training,
downloadable resources, and programs offered.
National Conference of State Legislatures: Cyberbullying -
http://www.ncsl.org/Default.aspx?TabId=12903: This website
provides a list of links to educator guides, programs, and other
cyberbullying related information.
Center for Safe and Responsible Internet Use - http://cyberbully.org/
- This website provides detailed information and resources on
cybersafety related topics as well as more specific forms of
cyberbullying.

21. References
Dehue, F., Bolman, C., & Völlink, T. (2008). Cyberbullying: Youngsters' experiences and parental perception. CyberPsychology
& Behavior, 11(2), 217-223. Retrieved January 4, 2010 from Ebsco Host.
Feinberg, T., & Robey, N. (2009). Cyberbullying. Education Digest, 74(7), 26. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from MasterFILE
Premier database.
Juvonen, J., & Gross, E. (2008). Extending the school grounds?—Bullying experiences in cyberspace. Journal of School
Health, 78(9), 496-505. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from Ebsco Host.
Mahdavi, J., Smith, P., Carvalho, M., Fisher, S., Russell, S., & Tippett, N. (2008). Cyberbullying: Its nature and impact in
secondary school pupils. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 49(4), 376-385. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from Ebsco Host.
Nation, M., Vieno, A., Perkins, D., & Santinello, M. (2008). Bullying in school and adolescent sense of empowerment: an
analysis of relationships with parents, friends, and teachers. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology, 18(3), 211-
232. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from Ebsco Host.
Slonje, R., & Smith, P. (2008). Cyberbullying: Another main type of bullying? Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 49(2), 147-
154. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from Ebsco Host.
Smith, P.K., Mahdavi, J., Carvalho, M., & Tippett, N. (2006). An investigation into cyberbullying, its forms, awareness and
impact, and the relationship between age and gender in cyberbullying. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from Ebsco Host.
What is cyberbullying? (2007)CyberAngels Internet Safety Program. Retrieved May 14, 2010, from
http://www.cyberangels.org/parents/cyberbullying1.html
(2007). Cyberbullying concerns on the rise. American School Board Journal, 194(4), 16. Retrieved January 7, 2010 from
MasterFILE Premier database.