Exploring perceptions of cyberbullying among young adults to understand how cyberbullying can be dealt with.

1. Differences in Experience and Perception of
Cyberbullying among Young Adults
Introduction
Cyberbullying entails repeated harm inflicted through computers, phones
or any other electronic devices. The increased used of social media by
young adults has set the ground of increase in activities of cyberbullying.
A common aspect to explore when understanding cyberbullying is the
apparent gender differences that exist within the act. Though existing
literature has found no indication of differences in gender as victims or
aggressors, societal perceptions tell a different story. Therefore, the paper
aimed at understanding how young adults perceived differences in
gender within the experiences of cyberbullying.
Methodology
0.66
0.19
0.03 0.10
Female Male No Difference Other
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Female
Male
8.48
8.63
2.55
3.46
Bullying Victimization Mean
Victimization Mean Cyberbullying Mean
0.27
0.52
0.02
0.16
Female Male No difference Other
0.20
0.55
0.06
0.17
Female Male No difference Other
Victims of Cyberbullying
sometimes become Bullies. Which
Gender is More Likely to do so?
Which Gender is More
Likely to be a Victim of
Cyberbullying
Quantitative Results
Which Gender is More Likely to
Bully in Cyberspace
Qualitative Results
Conclusion
• No statistically significant differences were found among the genders
in their experiences of cyberbullying.
• It had to be taken account that the responses were based on
individual perceptions and were coloured by individual biases.
• Young adults perceived that males were more likely to aggress, and
females were more like to be victims.
• Males were also thought to be more likely to become aggressors of
cyberbullying if they had previously been victims.
• Common reasons given for this perception were ‘patriarchy’ and
‘submissive nature of women.’
References
Ang, R. P., & Goh, D. H. (2010). Cyberbullying Among Adolescents : The Role
of Affective and Cognitive Empathy , and Gender. Child Psychaitry and Hum
Development, 41, 387–397. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10578-010-0176-3
Favela, L. (2010). Female Cyberbullying Inquires. Inquiries Journal, 2(11).
Retrieved from http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/322/female-
cyberbullying-causes-and-prevention-strategies
J Patchin, S. H. (2010). Cyberbullying and Self-Esteem ∗. Journal of School
Health, 80(12).
Li, Q. (2014). Cyberbullying in Schools: A Research of Gender Differences.
Social Psychology Internation, 27(2).
https://doi.org/10.1177/0143034306064547
• The study helped understand that since there was no real gender
difference in experiences of cyberbullying.
• Empathy should be taught to both male and female to help curb
the increased concern of cyberbullying.
• Schools should engage more actively in ensuring that
cyberbullying is given attention and children are made sensitized
towards it.
No. of Participants 117 (69 females; 48 males)
Age Range 18-25
Instrument Used Modified version of Patchin &
Hinduja (2009) with added section
about individual perception of
gender differences in experiences
Analysis Method Quantitative analysis t-test with
equal variances not assumed;
Qualitative through analyzing
common pattern
Form of Recruitment Online circulation of questionnaire
Abhramika Choudhuri
* I would like to thank FLAME University, Pune, for the support it provided in the completion of the paper
Implications