Abstract
The aim of this study is to determine how prevalent cyberbullying is in secondary level schools in the North Dublin area and the impact it has on self-esteem and empathy levels on secondary school students. A mixed design was used in this study; a correlation design to look at the relationship that cyberbullying had on levels of self-esteem and empathy, as well as a between groups measure. Paper self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 3rd and 4th year students (n=118) over three different secondary schools, one mixed (n=41), one all boy’s (n=42) and one all girl’s (n=35) school. Students were given a questionnaire to fill out prior to receiving an intervention program, then the same questionnaire following the intervention. The intervention programme consisted of a Microsoft Power-point presentation and short film, lasting approximately 40 – 60 minutes in duration. Results showed no significant differences in self-esteem, empathy and cyberbullying levels after the intervention. Results also showed no significant difference between variables in the three different schools.
Author Keywords: bullying, cyberbullying, empathy, self-esteem,
intervention, cybervictims
