Internet as A Source of Help in Dealing with School Violence

Abstract

In this study we examined possible advantages of the Internet as a medium for help and support for victims of school violence in Israel. Students in sixth, eighth, and tenth grades were asked about their willingness to seek help on the Internet for dealing with various forms of school violence, and the underlying force-driving processes of such approach was examined. Findings revealed that students are most willing to seek help for relational violence, followed by sexual, physical, and verbal forms of violence. The anonymity that the Internet can provide and the availability of help via Internet are the two foremost contributing factors to the willingness of students to seek help. In addition, the common gender differences in help-seeking behavior were mostly dismissed. Other situational variables and individual characteristics are discussed and possible implications are suggested.