Citation

Patterson VC, Closson LM, Patry MW. Can. J. Behav. Sci. 2019; 51(1): 12-26.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Canadian Psychological Association, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1037/cbs0000111

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Emerging adults are heavy users of technology, potentially increasing their risk of exposure to cyberbullying. This study examined the differences between cyber-roles' (i.e., bully, victim, bully-victim, uninvolved, average involvement) opinions and awareness of cyberbullying legislation and landmark Canadian cyberbullying cases. Participants were also asked to rate their agreement with aspects of the now-defunct Cyber-Safety Act. Participants were 681 emerging adults (Mage = 20.61, SD = 1.90, range = 18-25 years) attending a university in Nova Scotia, Canada.

RESULTS indicated that participants with knowledge of the Rehtaeh Parsons ("R") case had significantly stronger opinions of both the R and the Amanda Todd ("A") case than those who were unaware of the R case.

RESULTS further indicated that bullies, and to some extent, bully-victims, had the most lenient attitudes toward the illegality of the behaviour and severity of punishment for perpetrators involved in both the A and R cases. Most participants incorrectly believed Canada had a federal law against cyberbullying, and a significant minority incorrectly believed Nova Scotia did not have a provincial law against it. Implications for provincial legislation and cyberbullying research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved)

Keywords

Attitudes; Awareness; Cyberbullying; Emerging Adulthood; Laws; Punishment; Roles; Test Construction; Victimization