Running head: FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT PREPARATION
Final Research Project Preparation
Bethany Baldwin
Gen499 General Education Capstone
April 18, 2016
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FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT PREPARATION
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Final Research Project Preparation
Introduction
Electronic technology or devices such as computers, cell phones and tablets are
communication platforms for social networks and other Internet tools for linking people from
different places. Cyber bullying is therefore a crime that occurs across such platforms with the
intent of threatening the vulnerable victims by displaying virtual aggressive behavior. Most
teenagers or young children fall prey to cyber bullying but generally, anyone who is vulnerable
can fall victim to cyber stalking and threats. Cyber bullies can spread rumors about someone in
order to intimidate and affect him or her psychologically. Cyber bullying is worse than
traditional bullying because it deprives the victim of his or her privacy and it is difficult to
determine safety especially when one feels intimidate. Victims experience low self-esteem,
loneliness, fear and suicidal thoughts among other effects. Cyber bullying is a serious crime that
has strong negative implications on the psychological wellbeing of the victim and even the
perpetrator in other instances. In this regard, more conclusive research studies in the area should
be conducted in order to develop very effective mitigation methods for positive growth of
teenagers and young children (Hinduja & Patchin, 2010)
Cyber Bullying and Depression
Hinduja, S. & Patching, W. J. (2010). Bullying, Cyber bullying and Suicide. Archives of Suicide
Research, 14(3), 206-221.
According to Hinduja & Patching, both cyber bullying victims and offenders are more
likely to experience depression and suicidal thoughts. Findings from a 2007 study on the Internet
experience of 1963 middle school students show that young individuals who experienced any
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form of bullying as either the perpetrators or the victims had a higher probability of attempting
suicide than those who were not exposed to any type of aggression. The most vulnerable to
suicidal thoughts were victims of either traditional or cyber bullying. Hinduja & Patching (2010)
therefore emphasize the importance of incorporating prevention and intervention methods in
bullying response programs applied at home and at school. Cyber bullying has strong negative
impacts on the victims because it thrives on online anonymity, which can be difficult to realize.
Anonymous threats can be very harsh to the victim because the offender is at liberty to state
anything in its negative form. In case of such complaints, the teachers or parents should delve
into reliable investigations to determine the cyber criminals as well as their motives. Hinduja &
Patching (2010) suggest that they should take certain preventive steps such as encouraging
students to inform them of cyber bullying instances and also being aware of services on the same
issue. The common effects of cyber bullying such as depression and poor academic performance
should be a discussion among parents and teachers.
Ybarra, L. M. (2004). CyberPsychology & Behavior. Mary Anne Liebert Inc, Publishers, 7(2),
247-257.
Ybarra (2004), states that according to recent research reports, 97% of youth in current
times use the Internet consistently. This creates the need to determine the vulnerability of this
fraction of youth in their online communication processes. Those who are naïve and vulnerable
easily fall prey to the negative Internet experience. Internet harassment instigates depressive
symptoms among young Internet users just as traditional bullying. There are certain underlying
factors that show the association between depression and cyber bullying or Internet harassment.
According to Ybarra (2004), the focus of future studies should be on the symptoms of young
harassed Internet users and the probability of future psychological implications due to online
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engagements. The research should also examine gender as a factor in the degree of symptoms
among young Internet users. According to a new research study, children who are more likely to
have mental disorders as adults are those who were bullied. In this case, cyber-bullying
consequences may continue to taunt them in their later maturity stages. It is critical for parents,
guardians or teachers to observe peer relationships for the sake of the children. A part from
depression and suicidal thoughts, the child may develop antisocial personality disorder, which is
unhealthy. When connecting with vulnerable online users, most bullies use false accounts to
harass them and this gives them more power to be more threatening.
Wang, J., Nansel, T. R., & Iannotti, R. J. (2011). Cyber Bullying and Traditional Bullying:
Differential Association with Depression. The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official
Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine , 48(4), 415–417.
Wang, Nansel & Iannotti (2011) examined bullies and victims of both traditional and
cyber bullying with an aim of comparing the levels of depression among them. This comparison
also helped in determining the relationship between the frequency of bulling involvement and
depression. However, according to the findings, the relationship between cyber bullying and
depression has a notable distinction from that of traditional bullying and depression. More
research is needed in this particular area to decipher the depressive effects so that the required
intervention and prevention programs are executed. Wang, Nansel & Iannotti (2011) concluded
that cyber bullying victims showed higher depression tendencies.
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Campbell, A. M. (2005). Cyber Bullying: An Old Problem in a New Guise? Australian Journal
of Guidance and Counselling, 15, 68-76.
Campbell (2005) explains how technology can harm users, especially young people,
despite its well-known benefits. Young criminals use mobile phone cameras, chat rooms, emails,
websites, texts and other social sites to harass their peers. Many incidents on cyber bullying are
reported worldwide, with known measures and emphasis in the United States. Campbell (2005)
notes that current research literature on cyber bullying is still not comprehensive and much
attention should be given to cyber bullying as a growing problem in the world. Nevertheless,
Campbell (2005) explores the topic of cyber bullying in its vital angles such as potential
consequences, definition and the probable strategies of prevention and intervention. Cyber
bullying and traditional bullying have characteristics which tend to when observed with regard to
the experience of individuals. Their effects on the victims in terms of the psychological aspect
and academic performance are similar.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, cyber bullying is disruptive and threatening to young Internet users and
more efforts should be shown in terms of research and proactive measures in maintaining their
safety. Delving into further studies on the link between cyber bullying and depression or suicidal
attempts will help in determining preventive measures and effective intervention programs
before it is too late. The same research will enable experts to profile victims and bullies
accordingly to ascertain security and punitive measures for the perpetrators. There is importance
of greater discovery of depression among young Internet users involved in bullying, and the need
for a suicide deterrence and intervention element in anti-bullying programs. Bullying can lead to
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suicidal thoughts because the victims feel helpless and trapped and the thoughts can persist in
their adult lives.
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FINAL RESEARCH PROJECT PREPARATION
References
Campbell, A, M. (2005). Cyber Bullying: An Old Problem in a New Guise?. Australian Journal
of Guidance and Counselling, 15, 68-76.
Hinduja, S. & Patching, W. J. (2010). Bullying, Cyber bullying and Suicide. Archives of Suicide
Research, 14(3), 206-221.
Wang, J., Nansel, T. R., & Iannotti, R. J. (2011). Cyber Bullying and Traditional Bullying:
Differential Association with Depression. The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official
Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine , 48(4), 415–417.
Ybarra, L. M. (2004). CyberPsychology & Behavior. Mary Anne Liebert Inc, Publishers, 7(2),
247-257.
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Final Research Project Progress
Prepare: At this point in the course, you should have a rough draft o
discussion, make a list of what you learned most throughout this proc
the way.
Reflect: This is the moment in which you can think about what you h
with the class.
Write: Share your progress on the Final Research Project, including
• Identify the Final Research Project topic. What influenced you to m
• Describe your rationale for selecting that topic in relation to your ac
• Provide your thesis statement.
• Discuss interesting finds and/or frustrations that you have encounte
• Your initial post should be at least 250 words in length.
Respond to Peers: Review your classmates’ posts, and respond to
to help them with their research, and/or suggest resources that you b
responses to peers must be a minimum of 75 words.
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