Thanks to the efforts of dedicated researchers and other experts, we have a better understanding of cyberbullying. Some of this important research is even taking place at NIU.
By learning about organizations and resources dedicated to learning about cyberbullying, you can help raise awareness of its harmful effects.
NIU Research
Cyberbullying on Campus
Little research has been done on cyberbullying in university settings. To help remedy this, Professor Shane Sharp of the Department of Sociology has researched cyberbullying at NIU.
By conducting surveys of NIU students, faculty and staff, he has gained insight into the impact of cyberbullying on the NIU community. The survey results show that:
- Only a small percentage of NIU students and employees have reported an experience with cyberbullying.
- NIU cyberbullying victims often know their bully, who is usually not affiliated with NIU.
- The most common form of cyberbullying among the NIU community is nonconsensual sexual content.
Full results:
Cyberbullying in PreK-12 Settings
Department of Psychology Professor Michelle Demaray researches bullying and peer victimization in PreK-12 settings. Her work focuses on the effects of bullying and cyberbullying, the importance of social supports, and a three-tier model for addressing bullying and cyberbullying.
To learn more, visit the Cyber-bullying and Peer Victimization Research Lab and Preventing and Addressing Bullying sections of her website.
External Resources
StopBullying.gov
An official website of the U.S. government, StopBullying.gov provides information on cyberbullying risks, prevention and response, including:
Cyberbullying Research Center
The Cyberbullying Research Center provides information about cyberbullying, with a focus on adolescents. It also provides content relevant to audience of all ages, as well as specific content for educators, parents, mental health professionals and those who work with young people.
Pew Research Center
This nonpartisan group conducts polls, demographic research and social science research. They have collected helpful information about cyberbullying.
UNICEF
UNICEF is a global child advocacy group. They provide research and information about cyberbullying, including: