Electronic Media Bullying Experiences Among College Students

Abstract

The current study examined the prevalence of cyberbullying among college students as well as the relationship between types of attacks and the psychological consequences experienced by the victim. Support was found for hypothesis 1; among college students who report experiencing cyberbullying, flaming was the most frequently reported type of attack. Partial support was found for hypothesis 2. Specifically, those who reported cyber stalking reported higher rates of anxiety compared to those who did not report experiencing cyber stalking. Additionally, it was found that those who reported experiencing flaming reported higher rates of depression when compared to those who did not; however, those who experienced flaming reported higher rates of anxiety than they did depression. The highest means for the various psychological correlates were for those who experienced cyber stalking (negative impact on self- esteem M = 2.6, anxious M = 2.5).