Identifying Risk Factors and Protective Factors of Cyberbullying Behaviors in Rural Areas

• In Event: Bullying Victimization in Context: Institutional Systems, Marginalized Targets, and Perpetrator Networks

Abstract

Cyberbullying has been identified as a critical community issue with substantial promise to provide public impact that improves the well-being of community residents. Our interdisciplinary research from criminal justice and cybersecurity disciplines will work closely with several school districts in the community. First, the research uses a rural perspective to analyze student cyberbullying behavior, attitudes, and knowledge concerning cyberbullying and other sources of violence in Pennsylvania schools. Second, the study will perform analysis on how school intervention programs in rural area schools have impacted cyberbullying behavior over time, comparing protective and risk factors of cyberbullying behavior and trends in rural school districts. Third, the study will attempt to predict cyberbullying behavior of juveniles in rural areas to try and proactively prevent cyberbullying behavior from occurring using Machine Learning Analysis and predictive Artificial Intelligence.

Authors

• Juyoung Song, Penn State University

• Hakan Can, Penn State University

• Joseph Squillace, Penn State University