CYBERBULLYING VS. TRADITIONAL BULLYING – DO VICTIMS REACT DIFFERENTLY?

Abstract

Bullying is a deliberate use of force or coercion to abuse or intimidate others. Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place in the virtual space over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets. In view of the differences between physical and virtual spaces, it can be presumed that differences would be found between the bullying victims’ coping strategies. This study hypothesized that children who are victims of traditional bullying tend to report it at school, whereas cyberbullying victims use the characteristics of the virtual space (anonymity, invisibility, lack of eye contact) to retaliate against their aggressors. The sample included 1,295 3 rd - to 9 th -graders, of which 955 responded that they had been victims of at least one type of bullying (either traditional or cyber). The study found that victims of traditional bullying tended to act to break out of the situation more than cyberbullying victims did. Moreover, it was found that victims of traditional bullying tended to report it at school, and cyberbullying victims tended to report it to parents. However, the hypothesis that victims of cyberbullying would use cyber characteristics to retaliate was not supported. Additionally, a link was found between the victims’ age and their use of anti-bullying strategies: The younger they were, victims of traditional bullying tended to react.