Is Cyberbullying a Stand Alone Construct? Using Quantitative Analysis to Evaluate a 21st Century Social Question

Ryan Randa,Matt Nobles,Bradford Reyns

doi:10.3390/soc5010171

Ryan Randa, Matt Nobles + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/soc5010171

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Abstract

Using a subsample of the 2009 National Crime Victimization Survey, School Crime Supplement (NCVS-SCS), the present study explores the nature of the relationship between cyberbullying and traditional bullying victimization among students aged 12–18. One question of particular interest in the recent cyberbullying literature regards the classification of cyberbullying relative to traditional school yard bullying. As is the case in the cyber victimization literature in general, the question has become whether cyberbullying is an extension of traditional bullying or whether it is a unique independent phenomenon. Using the available data we attempt to address this question by exploring cyberbullying victimization as a standalone construct. Results of exploratory factor analyses suggest that cyberbullying victimization is both interlaced with traditional bullying modalities, and experienced as a unique phenomenon. Our results contribute a 21st century texture and dimension to the traditional construct.

Highlights

In America, a large majority of teens have their own cell phone, and almost two thirds of school age children go online daily [1,2]
Our primary question addressed the classification of cyberbullying in relation to traditional bullying victimization
The goal of this work was to examine whether cyberbullying victimization was truly a unique phenomenon when exploring a large data set

Summary

Introduction

In America, a large majority of teens have their own cell phone, and almost two thirds of school age children (age 12–17) go online daily [1,2]. Social media and social networking online have emerged as a cultural reality over the past 25 years. Online experiences have become progressively integrated into all aspects of life, so much so that for today’s tech savvy youth, an online presence is an expected part of their social life. The reality of their modern social experience is that being social means being online and mobile.

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