Cyberbullying is a serious concern among Internet users worldwide. In view of this, Dr. Angel Nga Man LEUNG of the Department of Psychology, EdUHK, together with her research team, launched an E-course with the aim to increase global awareness and self-efficacy in combating cyberbullying among college students. Dr. Leung is currently the principal investigator of two competitive external grants project, which are related to cyberbullying (ECS, GRF; funded by RGC, HK). 

 

This E-course is funded by internal Teaching Development Grant (EdUHK, TDG0185).

 

Cyberbullying takes place when the perpetrator inflicts harm intentionally and repeatedly towards one or more target(s) using Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), such as instant messaging tools, social networking sites and applications (e.g. Patchin & Hinduja, 2006). In a review of 73 studies on cyberbullying among adolescents of several age groups, Patchin & Hinduja (2013) reported that about 21% have been cyberbullied and about 15% admitted to cyberbully others at some point in their life.

 

In Hong Kong, a recent study (Leung, Wong, & Farver, 2018) showed that about 58% of Hong Kong adolescents reported perpetrating cyberbullying and 68% reported being cyberbullied. Another recent study (Leung, Fung, & Farver, 2017 ) suggested that using an experiential learning approach, college students’ attitudes about cyberbullying behavior and awareness of cyberbullying can be changed.

 

Cyberbullying is related to delinquency, depression, social anxiety and even suicidal ideation (e.g. Bauman, Toomey & Walker, 2013; Hinduja & Patchin, 2010). To prevent cyberbullying, it is important to equip children and young adolescents with the necessary awareness and attitudes to combat cyberbullying. Therefore, a 6-session anti-cyberbullying E-course was designed and implemented in 2017/2018 to help university students acquire the necessary skills and self-efficacy to combat cyberbullying.

 

More than 100 University students joined the online E-course. They working with interactive course materials designed to enhance their engagement and reflection using computer simulated scenarios, popular internet incidents, and role play games.

 

After joining the intervention program, most students demonstrated an increased awareness towards cyberbullying, and an enhanced self-efficacy to combat cyberbullying. To consolidate their learning experiences, some university students used the ideas/concepts they had learnt from the E-course to design and run a workshop for 70 primary school students.

 

You can see more about the description of the E-course by clicking “E-course”.

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Reference

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Bauman, S., Toomey, R. B. and Walker, J. L. (2013). Associations among bullying, cyberbullying and suicide in high school students. Journal of Adolescence,36, 341-350. DIY: 10.1016/j.adolescence.2012.12.001

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Leung, A. N. M., Fung, D. C., & Farver, J. M. (2017). A cyberbullying intervention for hong kong chinese college students. Applied Research in Quality of Life, doi:10.1007/s11482-017-9572-1

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Leung, A. N. M., Wong, N., & Farver, J. M. (2018). Cyberbullying in hong kong chinese students: Life satisfaction, and the moderating role of friendship qualities on cyberbullying victimization and perpetration. Personality and Individual Differences, 133, 7-12. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.07.016

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Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2006). Bullies move beyond the schoolyard: A preliminary look at cyberbullying. Youth Violence and Juvenile Justice, 4(2), 148-169. doi:10.1177/1541204006286288

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Patchin, J. W., & Hinduja, S. (2010). Cyberbullying and Self‐Esteem. Journal of School Health, 80(12), 614-621. doi:10.1111/j.1746-1561.2010.0054

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Patchin, J. W. & Hinduja, S. (2013). Cyberbullying among Adolescents: Implications for Empirical Research. Journal of Adolescent Health 53(4), 431-432.

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