Measurement of cyber-bullying severity

Abstract

The presented study presents results of research conducted in 2015 within the project of the Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of the Slovak Republic VEGA No. 1/0244/15 Detection and Resolving Cyber-Bullying. The aim of the research was to find out and analyze levels of cyber-bullying severity. Participants in the research were 1118 respondents 11-18 years old (average age 15.25, SD 2.55) across the Slovak Republic. The severity of cyber-bullying was assessed through the GRM (Graded Response Model). The most severe forms of cyber-bullying were posting a mean video, creating a hurtful web-page and threats of bodily injury sent through a text message. The least severe forms were mean comments on the Internet, spreading rumours and posting mean or hurtful photographs of others.