School Bullying with specific reference to cyberbullying and internet security during Covid-19
Publication details
| Year: | 2020 |
| Issued: | 2020 |
| Language: | English |
| Editors: | |
| Authors: | Keating S.; Mazzone A.; Milosevic T.; O'Higgins Norman J. |
| Type: | Short report |
| Publisher: | Submission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Education, Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science |
| Topics: | Risks and harms; Wellbeing; Internet usage, practices and engagement |
| Sample: | In Ireland, over one thousand participants (504 parents and 504 children age 10-18) completed an online survey that asked about exposure to online risks such as cyberbullying and harmful content online2; digital technology use-related habits; use of digital technology for school purposes; parental worries regarding technology use; but also the positive aspects of digital media use for the family, such as the acquisition of digital skills. |
Abstract
"Concerns about children being bullied online have increased considerably in the past months,
due to the measures adopted in response to the pandemic. Schools needed to provide online
education and children have been required to increase their use of applications and digital
platforms.Research has shown that maintaining online social connections has been
important for mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 restrictions (Department of
Children and Youth Affairs, 2020), (Pancani, Marinucci, Aureli, & Riva, 2020). However,
when children are using educational platforms and social media that demand interactions
through posts and comments and they are more connected with peers online, the opportunity
for cyberbullying and other forms of online abuse might increase. Findings show that 28% of children in the sample reported to have been the target of
cyberbullying during the lockdown, while 50% reported to have seen others being cyberbullied
(bystander role). The younger in age they were, the more likely they were to have been the
target of cyberbullying. Overall, 49% of males experienced significantly more frequent
cyberbullying since lockdown. Sixty-six percent (66%) of all children between the ages of 14-
16 years experienced significantly more cyberbullying (as compared to pre-lockdown) in
instant/private messaging services such as WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram."
Outcome
I"n May 2020, The National Anti-Bullying Research and Resource Centre (ABC) conducted a
study in partnership with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC)1
, on the experiences of Irish children and families during the Covid-19 lockdown (Milosevic, Laffan
& O’Higgins Norman, 2020). The goal of this research was to understand how children and
parents engaged with digital technology while staying at home and how these experiences may
have impacted children’s online safety and overall family wellbeing. Findings show that 28% of children in the sample reported to have been the target of
cyberbullying during the lockdown, while 50% reported to have seen others being cyberbullied
(bystander role). The younger in age they were, the more likely they were to have been the
target of cyberbullying. Overall, 49% of males experienced significantly more frequent
cyberbullying since lockdown. Sixty-six percent (66%) of all children between the ages of 14-
16 years experienced significantly more cyberbullying (as compared to pre-lockdown) in
instant/private messaging services such as WhatsApp, Viber or Telegram."