Policing the Cyber-bully: What does the Public Think?

• In Event: Youth & Social Media: What Do We Really Know about "Cyber-Bullying"?

Abstract

Cyber-bullying has become a popular area of study. There is growing concern about the inherent dangers of virtual communities and identities. Previous research has attempted to contextualize cyber-bullying by focusing on the increasing use of information and communication technology as a factor related to cyber-bullying incidents. Although there is a concern for better understanding these virtual communities, the bulk of cyber-bullying literature reinforces a one-dimensional relationship between the bully and victim thereby resulting in a complete disregard for how virtual communities, including the formation of virtual relationships, are constructed, maintained, and policed. Consequentially, a moral panic is generated and legitimized in which governments, stakeholders, institutions, communities, and general public attempt to punish, restrict, and police the behavior of young people. This paper is based on a random telephone survey of approximately 150 members of the public in Ontario, Canada. It explores how serious a problem the public perceive cyber-bullying to be in relation to traditional bullying and other serious delinquent and criminal incidents. Policy implications of the findings of this survey will be discussed.

Authors

• Julianne Condon, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

• Carla Cesaroni, University of Ontario Institute of Technology