A study of gender and age differences concerning the cyberbullying experiences of adolescents in Ireland
Authors
O'Connor, Siobhan
Issue Date
2009
Degree
BA in Psychology
Publisher
Dublin Business School
Rights holder
Rights
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate gender and age differences relating to the cyberbullying experiences of secondary school students in Ireland. This study was a between-subjects design. Convenience sampling was used to obtain 51 female students and 54 male students aged between 12 and 18 from an Irish secondary school. Each participant completed a questionnaire, devised by Li (2007a), that asked 20 questions addressing demographic information and experiences of cyberbullying. Consequently, the results showed that females were significantly more likely than males to inform a mother when cyberbullied. Males were significantly more likely than females to be cyberbullied via chat room. Males were significantly more likely than females to cyberbully via mobile phone recording. Females were significantly more likely than males to be aware of cyber safety strategies. No statistically significant gender difference was observed concerning the likelihood of cyberbullying others. Also, no statistically significant age differences were noted in regard to experiencing cyberbullying or cyberbullying others. Thus, the study undertaken here seems to support the current opinion that cyberbullying is prevalent among adolescents in Ireland (Microsoft, 2009).