From Traditional Face-to-Face Bullying to Cyberbullying: Who Crosses Over?

Abstract

A total of 3956 children aged 12-13 years who completed the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC Wave 5) were questioned about their experiences of traditional bullying and cyberbullying in the last month. Sixty per cent of the sample had been involved in traditional bullying as the victim and/or the offender. Eight percent had been involved in cyberbullying as victim and/or offender. The vast majority (95%) of those involved in cyberbullying were also involved in traditional bullying. Children involved in both traditional bullying and cyberbullying were compared with those involved in only traditional bullying. Boys were more likely to be involved in both types of bullying than girls. Children with friends involved in delinquent activities and who did not have trustworthy and supportive friends were more likely to bully both traditionally and in cyberspace. Computer proficiency and use did not differentiate children who had crossed over and those who had not, although computer use for socialising purposes had some predictive value. The study suggests the value of school interventions for children as they approach adolescence, covering both traditional bullying and cyberbullying, and targeting social relationships in order to teach children how to manage them safely and intelligently.

Keywords: Bullying, cyberbulling, traditional bullying, Australian children, cyberspace, social relationships.