Youth Perceptions of Online Harassment, Cyberbullying, and “just Drama”: Implications for Empathetic Design

Abstract

Cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and similar forms of online harassment have become a point of concern among youth, parents, school administrators, and communities. Researchers have spent considerable time debating definitions, prevalence, predictors, and prevention and intervention strategies. In this chapter, the author will explore the multifaceted nature of cyberbullying among young adults/teens (12-18 years of age), particularly the complex nature of identifying as bully, victim, bully/victim, or bystander. Clearly, this is not easy to grasp, pinpoint, or even evaluate. Through semi-structured in-depth interviews and structured video autoethnographies, eight young adults discussed how they engage with social media, the toxicity of various platforms, experiences as cyberbully victims, bullies, and bystanders, "just drama" versus harassment, and seeking and providing support. The findings reveal suggestions for technological applications and resources to improve youth awareness of challenges when engaging online. Additionally, findings express a greater need for empathetic design within social networking sites and online safety education.